Melbourne, October 3 – Magic Albert has been in great form of late and unearthed a serious contender for the Group I VRC Victoria Derby on Sunday at Flemington in the shape of progressive gelding Isopach.

A stakes-winner last season at two over 1600 metres in Adelaide, the John Thompson trained Isopach improved sharply at his third run back from a spell when stepped up to the 1800 metres of the Listed VRC UCI Stakes.

He travelled well for Danny Nikolic and powered clear in the straight to win by more than a length taking his overall record to two wins from nine starts with prizemoney in excess of $150,000.

“After last preparation we always thought he was a Derby horse, so he’ll go to the Norman Robinson next and then to the Derby,” said stable foreman Glen Thompson.

Danny Nikolic was also impressed with the Patinack Farm owned three year-old and believes he has a good future.

“He’s a lovely horse and he’s maturing all the time,” said Nikolic.

“He hit the front too early, but held them off strongly so he may well get to the Derby.”

Consigned to the 2010 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale by Patinack Farm, Isopach was passed in and retained to race.

Isopach is a half-brother to South African Group II winner Curved Ball and Group III placed Swissac being one of five winners from the Zabeel mare Curvaceous, a half-sister to the dam of dual Group I winner Grout from the family of Melbourne Cup winner Subzero.

Isopach is one of 13 stakes-winners for Magic Albert, who is having a great run with this three year-olds who include Tai Tai Tess, Al’s Magic Miss, Ingham Magic and the promising David Hayes trained filly Roma Giaconda, who finished second in the recent Group II ATC Stan Fox Stakes to Manawanui and ran home well for fifth in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday.