Top Tasmanian trainer Scott Brunton has added the Moe Cup to his list of Victorian trophies when Count Da Vinci claimed Thursday's $150,000 feature.
Brunton has won the Warrnambool and Mornington Cups in previous raids across Bass Strait and things could not have panned out better for Count Da Vinci in his latest foray into Victoria.
Regular stable rider David Pires gave Count Da Vinci the perfect trip behind the leaders before sending the gelding to the lead at the 400m.
The strength that helped Count Da Vinci ($3.50 eq fav) to his Hobart Cup win in the summer kicked in down the straight as he held off the Darren Weir-trained Pacodali ($3.50 eq fav) to score by 1 ¼ lengths.
Godolphin's runner Tarquin ($10) finished a half-head further back in third.
Brunton told Racing Victoria he had other races "in the pipeline" for Count Da Vinci during the remainder of the spring carnival but would not decide his next target on race day.
Another Darren Weir-trained runner, the $5.50 chance Articus, found trouble when trying to ease into the clear approaching the home turn before dropping out to finish 10th, 14 lengths from the winner.
