Unbeaten three-year-old Proliferate has trainer Mick Price excited about a tilt at next year’s AJC Australian Derby after scoring an empathic win at Flemington.
The More Than Ready colt won his first two starts at Geelong and Seymour and was impressive when stepping up in grade and distance to land Thursday’s Myer Spring Fashion Stakes (1800m).
Price said Proliferate was an inquisitive horse who still didn’t have his mind on the job and was winning on raw ability.
He has “Classic” breeding being a half-brother to Grand Journey who won the 2008 West Australian Derby and Oaks for Mornington trainer David Brideoake.
“He is bred to get 2400 metres and if you have a look at him in the yard he is a real staying type of colt with a big long neck and is clean-winded,” Price said.
“He will be a lovely horse in the autumn if he starts concentrating.
“I am looking to put him out to let him mature and time my run for an AJC Derby.”
Price last had an AJC Australian Derby runner in 2009 when Pre Eminence was beaten 1-1/2 lengths when fifth to Roman Emperor.
Price instructed jockey Michael Walker to get cover on Proliferate on the spacious Flemington track and he managed to get him to rail just behind the leader The Deep South.
He was held up getting a run but pushed through to take the lead halfway up the straight and was strong to the line, winning by 1-1/4 lengths from Vincente with Euryale three-quarters of a length away third.
“He doesn’t have the concentration as a colt at the moment but he’s learning and I think he is a horse with a really good future as stayer,” Price said.
AAP TURF
