Improving stayer Solemn has emerged as a Victoria Derby candidate, giving his jockey Kerrin McEvoy and assistant trainer Paul Snowden a double birthday celebration with his win in the Listed Geelong Classic.
McEvoy, who turned 32 on Wednesday, is looking forward to the Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) in 10 days after Solemn rounded up his rivals from last to take out the 2200m event for three-year-olds.
“We’ve always had a nice opinion of him and the team have had the Derby as his target race for a while,” McEvoy said.
“Hopefully he can get there in good nick and have some luck on the day.
“It’s A Dundeel is going to be the benchmark (in the Derby) no doubt, but he’s a nice staying type for the future.”
Group One Spring Champion Stakes winner It’s A Dundeel is a dominant favourite for the Derby and races at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Solemn had been beaten as a short-priced favourite at the provincials in Sydney at his most recent start but relaxed well at the back of the field in his Victorian debut before McEvoy made his move around the field approaching the home turn.
“He felt the winner from about the 800 metre mark,” McEvoy said.
Trainer Peter Snowden, father of 33-year-old Paul, would like to progress to the Flemington feature on Saturday week but will monitor the son of Bernardini in the lead-up to the race.
“To me he’s still six months away from where he should be but he’s such a talented horse,” Snowden said.
Solemn defeated Malabar Man by 1-1/4-lengths with Escado a neck away third.
Our Desert Warrior finished fourth but jockey Nash Rawiller said he was disadvantaged after the tree of his saddle broke shortly after the start.
