Ciaron Maher stayer Saint Emilion on path to Victoria Derby after winning Geelong Classic

Fresh from winning the Caulfield Cup and The Everest, Ciaron Maher will have at least one runner in the Victoria Derby following the win of Saint Emilion in the Geelong Classic.

Mark Zahra guides Saint Emilion to a strong win in the Geelong Classic. Picture: Pat Scala/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The Ciaron Maher juggernaut extended to Geelong on Wednesday as well-related Snitzel colt Saint Emilion staked his Victoria Derby claims with a powerful win in the $200,000 Geelong Classic.

Fresh from dominating in two states last weekend with Caulfield Cup and Everest successes, Maher said Saint Emilion had earned his passage into the Group 1 Flemington three-old classic (2500m) on Saturday week.

Asked how many Derby runners he will likely have this year, Maher said: “Not too many, (but) this one will be firmly in there.”

It's back-to-back wins for Saint Emilion who shoots through to take out the Geelong Classic 💥@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/YuTySG7eq9

— Racing.com (@Racing) October 23, 2024

Saint Emilion is now a $10 chance to win the Derby off the back of his strong Geelong performance, following on from his maiden victory at Goulburn earlier this month.

“I was just saying to the lads, Explosive Jack actually got beaten at Goulburn before he won a few Derbys, so this one (Saint Emilion) won, so hopefully he can repeat that,” Maher said.

“You can see he is still furnishing and it was just a beautiful ride by Mark (Zahra). You could see him building in confidence throughout the run.”

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A $200,000 purchase for Dynamic Syndications at last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions Sales, Saint Emilion is a son of Kylikwong, who ran second in the VRC Oaks 20 years ago.

Zahra said he was yet to commit to a Derby ride, but stressed Saint Emilion looked a good young stayer in the making.

“Everyone goes to the Derby, it’s the dream, isn’t it?” Zahra said.

“The thing is he relaxes well, which I think is the main thing for the Derby. He was good to the line.”

Saint Emilion started at $13 in the Classic, saluting by 1¾ lengths from Hot To Go ($4.20) with the well-backed $2.30 favourite Oxford Blue in third place.

Originally published as Ciaron Maher stayer Saint Emilion on path to Victoria Derby after winning Geelong Classic