Bellisimo Benicio brings home Victoria Derby

Lee Freedman’s glorious spring carnival rolled on at Flemington yesterday when his gallant stayer Benicio claimed victory in the $1.5 million Victoria Derby.

The three year-old had to fight off Graeme Rogerson’s impressive youngster Duelled in a dramatic last-gasp victory, and will now be aimed at next year’s Melbourne Cup after proving he was more than capable of handling the grueling 2500m test.

Jockey Noel Callow had been slammed by Freedman earlier in the day after his abysmal ride on Queen Of The Hill – who got pipped by Jet Spur in race two – but all was quickly forgiven when Callow brilliantly guided the victor home.

Punters eager to get on the Freedman bandwagon backed Benicio into $10, and they weren’t disappointed on a day where bookies copped another pasting with short-priced favourites Jet Spur, Lad Of The Manor and Lotteria claiming victory in their respective races.

Over 115,000 packed into the famous racecourse, breaking last year’s attendance record and suggesting that Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup crowd could reach up toward 130,000 should Makybe Diva take to the track in search of her third straight victory.

Mr Celebrity and Confectioner were both aiming to secure their berth in the Cup’s starting field in the 2500m Saab Quality, but they were upstaged by Bart Cummings’ temperamental long shot Strasbourg, who stormed home to claim victory.

The third placing of Mr Celebrity was enough to put Gai Waterhouse’s stayer into the famous two-mile event, but Confectioner – just a few months after his dashing Craiglee Stakes win – will miss due to a lack of rankings points, the same clause that prevented him from starting in the Caulfield Cup.

Serenade Rose ($17) staked her claim for Oaks’ favoritism with a smashing win in the Wakeful Stakes, flying down the outside to overcome highly-fancied filly Astronomia, who was sent in at even money by punters after her stirring win in the Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield a fortnight ago.

Lad Of The Manor ($3) overcame his Cox Plate disappointment by roaring home in the LKS Mackinnon Stakes, proving he’ll be a force to be reckoned with in next year’s carnival, while connections haven’t yet ruled out a start in next Saturday’s 1600m Emirates Stakes.

The return to form of star miler Lotteria ($4) continued in the 1600m Myer Classic, with the Sydneysider going one better than a last-start second placing in the Cox Plate, grinding down international jetsetter Miss Potential ($10) to win comfortably.

The final group one of the day, the 1200m Salinger Stakes, was won by the classy sprinter Glamour Puss, who defeated Barely A Moment and Hong Kong star Cape Of Good Hope.

Later in the evening, Makybe Diva’s owner Tony Santic paid up the entrance fee for Makybe Diva as the mare drew barrier 14 for her shot at history in the Melbourne Cup.

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