The Darren Weir trained Cliff’s Edge put himself into contention for the Victoria Derby with an all the way win in the Group 3 $350,000 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m) at Caulfield today.
Cliff’s Edge, above, leads all of the way to the Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Irish jockey John Allen had no hesitation in taking Cliff’s Edge straight to the front and ran the race to suit himself.
Allen dictated the race from the front and when heads were turned for home he let Cliff’s Edge ($3.80 favourite) slip away and the Canford Cliff colt went on the record an impressive win and stamped himself as a genuine chance in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 4.
Runner up Tangled ($5) ran a solid race for second with Victoria Derby bound Main Stage ($4) hanging on for third.
The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Main Stage settled in fourth and fifth spot in the run but had trouble chasing the leading division and seem to flatten out on his run in the straight.
Weir said that Cliff’s Edge has a great racing style and that helped him win today and is a great chance of running in the Victoria Derby in a fortnight.
“I supposed you will have to have a throw at the stumps on the way he went today,” Weir said.
“Has a great racing style.”
“He copes with the work really well and that why he loves bowling along out in front and relaxes so well.”
“His last run definitely toughened him up and getting back to Caulfield where he was able to dictate and kick on the corner, it was always going to be a differently run race today.”
