The Derby aspirations of Vadashan and Kingdoms took a battering as the pair finished out of the placings behind seasoned galloper Coup Acclaim at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The three-year-olds crossed the line with little between them, with the favourite Vadashan ($2.60) from the Paul Messara stable edging the John O’Shea-trained Kingdoms ($5) out of fifth place, four lengths from the winner.
Messara was baffled by the performance of the well-bred Vadashan after putting his previous failure at Rosehill over 1500 metres on March 2 down to the heavy track.
“He was disappointing,” Messara said.
“I expected more. I thought the further he went the better he would be.
“He didn’t finish it off and maybe he doesn’t get the distance yet.
“We will reassess where we go now.”
Coup Acclaim’s win was a happy return to the winner’s list for both horse and rider with Corey Brown ending a string of minor placings when he pushed Coup Acclaim ($4.80) over the line a half head in front of Dolphi’s Boy who had led for most of the way.
“I worked the camera,” Brown said.
“I haven’t been in front of the camera for so long.”
Coup Acclaim broke a run of 40 rides without a winner for Brown who is within striking distance of a second premiership on a crowded leader board headed by Hugh Bowman, Tommy Berry and Glyn Schofield.
The trainers’ title is already in the bag for Chris Waller who led in a treble at Canterbury, including Coup Acclaim.
He is on 109-1/2 wins for the season with nearest rival Gai Waterhouse on 50 after the victory of Diamond Drille at Canterbury.
Waller said Coup Acclaim was good earner but no superstar.
“He’s not a carnival horse but he does a good job and holds his form,” Waller said.
“He is capable of winning Saturday races.
“It was a good ride by Corey. He was getting down on himself but I told him not to worry.
“If you’re riding placings the winners will come.”
Waller’s other winners on the day were Triple Fortune, ridden by Bowman, and Radiator, ridden by Jim Cassidy.
