Saint Emilion emerges as Victoria Derby hope

The inform Ciaron Maher stable has unearthed another potential Group 1 winner with the victory of Saint Emilion at Geelong.

Maher collected the Group 1 double of The Everest and Caulfield Cup last weekend and after the success of Saint Emilion in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on Wednesday, the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 2 is now in his sight.

Ridden by Mark Zahra, Saint Emilion ($13) scored by 1-¾ lengths from Hot To Go ($4.40) with the heavily backed $2.15 betting sites favourite Oxford Blue a short-half-head away third.

Saint Emilion commenced his career in NSW before making his way to Maher’s Cranbourne stable and one of the team’s first tasks was to get horse chiropractor Brendan McCarthy in to have a look at the colt.

“He looks phenomenal and Brendan McCarthy, our chiropractor, he actually looked at him when he first came down,” Maher said.

“He was feeling a hammy and he’s done a fair bit of work with him, and I think that’s been the key as you can see how well he looks.”

Maher said Saint Emilion had improved with racing and would continue to do so, and already the colt is one up on Explosive Jack who was a three-time Derby winner for Maher and former training partner David Eustace in 2021.

The Derby is firmly on the agenda for Saint Emilion after Wednesday’s victory as the trainer chases a second win in the Classic having won the race with Hitotsu in 2021.

Maher praised Zahra’s ride saying Saint Emilion was still furnishing.

“You could see him building in confidence throughout the run,” Maher said.

“It was a beautiful ride for a young horse that has needed that sort of confidence to build on throughout.

“I don’t think I’ll have too many (Derby runners), but this one will be firmly in there anyway.”

Zahra, who is yet to finalise a ride in the Derby and has a few ‘irons in the fire’, said Saint Emilion would be a contender at Flemington.

“The thing about him, he’s relaxed, which I think is the main thing for a Derby especially if you can relax well and have a turn-of-foot at the finish,” Zahra said.