Red Aces was not even meant to be at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day, but the tenacious stayer kept his Victoria Derby campaign on track with victory in the Moonee Valley Vase.
The Nick Ryan-trained colt held out Opening Address and King Of Thunder to win a thrilling edition of the $400,000 Group 2 over 2040 metres.
The son Dundeel was a late scratching from last Saturday’s Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield after a minor mishap at the barrier and, while initially disappointed, Ryan said being forced seven days out from the Derby could prove a blessing.
“He had a really good gallop here Tuesday and I had to do a bit more with him Thursday he’d come through that so well,” Ryan said.
“I actually rode him myself this morning and I had to give him a little whirl around because he’s so well.
“That’s what I mean by saying I think today, or last week, as unfortunate as it could be a blessing in disguise with the seven-day backup.
“Today’s the perfect gallop for next week.”
Red Aces made the most of a sweet Jamie Mott to score but a narrow-but-impressive win.
A bump with Opening Address at the top of the straight had the potential to put the gelding off his game with King Of Thunder launching late, but Red Aces showed great fighting qualities to score the second win of his five-start career.
The $3.20 betting site favourite defeated Opening Address ($7.50) by a long head with King Of Thunder ($3.90) a nose back third.
Red Aces tightened into $6 equal second favouritism with El Castello in Victoria Derby betting, behind unlikely runner Broadsiding ($4), in Derby betting and Mott is looking forward to the challenge.
“I am very confident, I think it’s his year for sure,” Mott said.
While he is now a leading contender for the Derby, Red Aces remains among the acceptances for the Melbourne Cup but Ryan said no decision on a start in that $8.4m race would be made until after next Saturday’s race.