Melbourne, November 5 – The Listed VRC Myer Spring Fashion Stakes over 1800 metres at Flemington on Thursday provided a thrilling three way finish with victory going to the Mike Moroney trained colt Viking Hero, but sadly for connections the colt later lost the race in the stewards room.
Having just his fourth race start, Viking Hero charged to the line flanked by Turf Express and King Diamond, but his lack of experience under pressure led to interference with the narrow margin of a nose overturned in favour of the other two on protest with the Elvstroem colt relegated to third.
“He’s still very new, although we always thought he was one of our better ones,” said Mike Moroney.
“We missed the Victoria Derby as he got a bit crook after his first win and he’ll go for a spell now with Sydney in mind.
“He’ll be going up there for the AJC Derby as we think he’s an ideal horse for that.”
A $160,000 purchase from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2008 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Viking Hero was bred by Yarraman and is a half-brother by Elvstroem to metropolitan winner Gypsy Googol, being from the well-related Zabeel mare Gypsy Dollar, a half-sister to Group One AJC Australian Derby winner Innocent King and also Girl’s Paradise, the grand-dam of Group One winning filly Unearthly, who is by Gypsy Dollar’s sire Zabeel.
With that sort of pedigree it’s no wonder connections are thinking Derby plans.
Yarraman Park sold a Stratum filly from Gypsy Dollar for $160,000 at Magic Millions earlier this year to BBA, Ireland and the mare has another Stratum filly for the sales next year.
