The Godolphin-raced Alcyone has shot to the top of futures Victoria Derby 2020 betting after an impressive win as the odds-on favourite in the third at Flemington on Saturday.
VRC Derby-bound Alcyone shares a sire (Teofilo) with 2018 Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (pictured). Photo: Steve Hart.
Nicely bred Teofilo colt Alcyone, trained by James Cummings, jumped $1.95 top elect in the $100,000 Byerley Handicap (1800m) at HQ despite carrying the 61kg top weight.
With veteran hoop John Allen in the saddle, the up-and-comer didn’t disappoint, breaking his maiden status at career start number four with a three-quarter length victory over fellow VRC Derby hopeful Johnny Get Angry ($6.50).
It was the ideal performance from the rising two-year-old who came off the devastatingly close second to Cherry Tortoni at the track over the mile in the Listed $120,000 Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) a fortnight earlier.
Showing early staying ability going up to the 1800m, Alcyone will now begin preparations for the Group 1 $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on October 31 on Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
He is exempt from Victoria Derby ballot thanks to his Byerley Handicap win and Allen is confident the horse will develop into a genuine stayer come the Group 1.
“He’s a bit lairy and had a look around when he got there (to the front),” Allen told the media post-win.
“Even though he didn’t win by a big margin, I think I had a bit left, to be honest.
“With about a hundred metres to go he did pick up again so even though he didn’t win by a big margin he did have a bit up his sleeve.”
Alcyone is showing the right early signs to live up to his staying pedigree being a son of Queensland Oaks winner Purple (2009).
He also shares the sire Teofilo with Melbourne Cup winner Cross Counter (2018).
“He’s a little bit on the green side still – we saw that late – but he was good enough to win,” stable rep Sean Keogh said.
“We’re dealing with a big, raw colt at the moment. Well-bred to mature into a nice three-year-old going forward.
“I think with the racing he might be due for a break now and when we get him back, we might work things out. He’s a nice horse.
“I think, like with any of these colts, we’ll let time take its course and see how he is when he gets back.”
Cummings is vying for his second Victoria Derby success following his 2017 victory with Prized Icon and Alcyone now sits as the equal $10 all-in favourite with the undefeated Cherry Tortoni in futures markets at Ladbrokes.com.au.
