Visao has earned a shot at the Victoria Derby with a dominant display in a two-year-old race at Flemington.
The colt’s win in Saturday’s Byerley Handicap (1800m) gained the Ciaron Maher-trained galloper a ballot exemption in the Group One Victoria Derby at Flemington in November.
After an earlier win with Naantali, Maher and jockey Damian Lane combined with Visao to notch a winning double.
Tracking the speed throughout, Visao ($4) drew clear over the final 200m to score a 1-3/4 length victory from Nero Chin Chin ($16), with Necessitas ($31) the same margin away third.
Visao was a $50,000 yearling purchase at the Magic Millions sale and considered a cheap purchase by Maher’s assistant trainer David Eustace.
“He’s a half to a horse that was showing a bit of promise in the stable so it’s work out,” Eustace said.
“He’s not a big horse but he’s relatively set now and putting on a bit of weight.
“His win at Mildura showed he’s on an upward curve so Ciaron brought him here today and he’s shown he’s still on that upward path.”
Eustace said the stable could now dare to dream of November’s Victoria Derby after Saturday’s success.
“I’d say you’d have to wrestle him out of the (mounting) yard instead of putting him in,” Eustace said.
“He can have a little let-up and be aimed towards the race.
“It doesn’t look as though he’s got a load of scope but for a small horse, he’s got a good action.
“He’s stayed the 1800 metres today so we’ll likely give it a go.”
