Murshidi breaks maiden in Geelong Classic as Blake Shinn backs him for Victoria Derby
Murshidi broke his maiden at his fifth start with a long-head win in the Listed Geelong Classic, with Ciaron Maher setting the three-year-old gelding for the $3 million Victoria Derby at Flemington.
Ridden by Blake Shinn, Murshidi ($3.70) held off Icy You ($7.50). Favourite True Tone ($2.60) finished three-quarters of a length behind Icy You in third.
Shinn, who has never won the Derby, is confident the Maurice gelding can handle the extra 300 metres.
“He was probably the best stayer on the day, and he’s trained by Ciaron, which helps and he’s built nicely into the prep,” Shinn said.
“This horse has won it and I think he’ll run the trip.”
Maurice also sired Hitotsu, who gave Maher his first Derby win in 2021.
“He’s a different style of horse (to Hitotsu). I don’t think he has the same turn-of-foot as Hitotsu but he’s a strong horse and he has prepped up really well,” Maher said.
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