Premier trainer Darren Weir is not sure whether Extra Brut will run out a strong 2500m of the Victoria Derby but is willing to try the Domesday colt over the extra journey after winning the Listed $120,000 UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington today.

Extra Brut, above, had to overcome a wide barrier before winning the UCI Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Extra Brut ($4.60) had no favours in the run and after jumping from barrier fifteen in the sixteen horse field, jockey John Allen could do no better than three wide in the second half of the field.

Allen was content to sit back in the field in the early stages of the race and pushed Extra Brut into the race at the 300m and the tough colt worked strongly to the line to record a one and a quarter lengths win over the Lindsay Park trained Sikorsky ($8.50).

Third placegetter and stablemate of the winner Savoie was sent out as the $2.70 favourite and after setting the pace, held on gamely in the run to the line to finish one and a quarter lengths behind the second horse.

Weir now has two strong prospects heading towards the Group 1 $2m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on November 3, the first day of the four day 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“It was a good performance,” Weir said of Extra Brut’s win.

“I though both horses ran really well. He was very strong late Extra Brut.”

“I ummed and arred what to do from the barrier and then in the end I was a bit keen to ride him a bit quiet. He got him into a lovely spot, three wide with cover and he travelled up and I loved the way he travelled up late.”

Weir said that he would wait and see if Extra Brut could handle the 2500m of the Victoria Derby but he is certain that 2000m would be no problem for the promising stayer.

“Ten furlongs (2000m) for sure. I am not sure about 2500m. I don’t think many people know about that but definitely ten furlongs.”

“He was great through the line. I guess if you drew a gate, you relax and you switch off, why couldn’t he run a trip.”