Manzoice Gives Almanzor First Group 1 in Victoria Derby

Manzoice's last-gasp success in the Penfolds Victoria Derby (G1) at Flemington Oct. 28 was the first group 1 triumph for his shuttle sire Almanzor .

Chris Waller's runner, a handicap winner in August, caused a bit of an upset in one of the Australian spring's keynote races. Although not already one of Almanzor's five black-type winners—all of which were at the listed level—connections felt he had been owed some luck.

Under Michael Dee and showing signs of inexperience, his rider found a way through and he picked off last week's Spring Champion Stakes (G1) winner Sharp 'n' Smart.

Waller's stable manager Charlie Duckworth told Racing.com: "Terrific performance from the horse and it's been the plan all the way through and things haven't gone his way with wide draws and wet tracks, but we've stuck solid with the plan that we set out to do."

Manzoice is a member of the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Almanzor, who divides his year between Haras d'Etreham in France and Cambridge Stud in New Zealand.

Bred by Sandra Hole out of the Lawnmaster Eulogy Stakes (G3) winner Choice, Manzoice was purchased by Waller and Mulcaster Bloodstock for AU$340,000 (£188,000/€219,000) at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His half sister by Shooting To Win is scheduled to be offered at the NZB Ready to Run Sale in November.