It took eight starts for NZ Derby runner-up Milford to break his duck in Australia, which he achieved in style in Saturday’s Group III Neds Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Patrick Moloney for Mike Moroney, the 4yo gelded son of Savabeel defeated Holbien (Pierro) by a nose with Mandela Effect (Turffontein) two lengths back in third.
“He’s come back better as a gelding. He showed a fair bit early on but lost his was a bit as a colt,” stable representative Glen Thomson said.
“He came back last time as a gelding but struggled a little but after the gelding. Mike put him in a paddock, and he’s come back great this prep.
“He’s done really well all prep and held his condition well. His two runs leading into this were outstanding, and he really flew under the radar.
“It just looked like he was crying out for the 2000 metres, and he showed that today.”
Purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock (BAFNZ) for $360,000 from the Waikato Stud draft in Book 1 of the 2019 NZB Karaka Yearling Sale, Milford is the only runner to date for the unraced O’Reilly mare Etiquette, a sister to 4-time Group 1 winner Sacred Falls.
