Young Victorian trainer Matt Laurie was searching for words to describe his first Group One win after Escado outstayed his opposition in Saturday’s South Australian Derby at Morphettville.
The gelding had support and was backed from $21 to $14 but it was fellow Victorians Shoreham ($4) and Hvasstan ($5) who were the favourites to fight it out over 2500 metres.
Hvasstan was a spent force by the time the field entered the straight as Ben Melham stuck to the inside on Escado to put 1-3/4 lengths on Hioctdane ($5.50) with Shoreham grinding home another short head away third.
“There are no words to describe it,” the Mornington-based Laurie told Sky Racing.
“It’s just my third Group One winner. I’m rapt.
“Ben is in great form. He’s a great jockey, a great mare and I’m pleased we’ve been able to do it as a combination.
“I’ve got great owners and I’m rapt.
“There are no words to describe it.”
Unlike many other jockeys who scouted wide on the day, Melham said he had no problems taking his mount to the inside of the track.
“I didn’t see a problem with the fence and I was happy to stay there,” he said.
“He had good form through the spring but kept running into a couple of class horses.
“He is certainly very genuine.”
A former breaker for Hall Of Fame trainer Lee Freedman, 32-year-old Laurie has held a licence since 2004 after many years preparing horses for equestrian events, including Kibah Sandstone for 2000 Olympic gold medal winner Matt Ryan.
