Angland superb in Ace High's Victoria Derby

Luke Sheehan via Racing.com

The 163rd running of the $1.5million AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) was won by the only Group 1 winner in the field as Ace High lengthened to a dominant victory in the classic staying test for three-year-olds.

In a race which saw the lead change hands several times in the run as each of Johnny Vinko, Sully, Tangled and Weather With You had the running at certain stages, it was the patient ride by Tye Angland that ensured the David Payne-trained High Chaparral colt stayed the trip.

Joining Monaco Consul (2009), Nothin’ Leica Dane (1995), and Stylish Century (1989) as the only horses to have claimed the Spring Champion Stakes – VRC Derby double, Ace High made it four wins including breaking his maiden at Kembla Grange in July, delighting Payne who said the success had been more than 12 months in the making.

“We ran second in the Derby with Praecido and Criterion drew badly but I always thought this horse was the right one,” Payne said.

“We’ve been planning the Derby since he was a two-year-old, not long after we put him into work.

“It doesn’t usually work out but it has this time.”