VICTORIA DERBY

(GROUP 1)

TRAINED by James Cummings, Prized Icon turned around an indifferent performance a week earlier at Moonee Valley to save the blushes of bookmakers by defeating the short-priced favourite Sacred Elixir in the A$1.5 million Victoria Derby.

First run in 1855, the name Cummings now boasts winners across four generations beginning with Jim Cummings who won the Victoria Derby with Comic Court in 1948. His son Bart won five and in turn, his son Anthony, James’ father, won in 2012 with Fiveandahalfstar. Such a storied history is unrivalled in Australian racing.

“Most of Australia knows the name,” said 28-year-old James. “I reflect on it but right now I’m proud of the horse and the job he’s done. He’s been a model of consistency throughout his career and (jockey) Glyn Schofield has been a part of that. The horse was just in his own comfort zone and happy in his own space and he was strong.”

STRONG FINISH

Schofield had Prized Icon improving from a mid-field position with 800 metres to run to come wide on the turn. Displaying a strong turn of foot the pair swooped on the lead to run away with the race and win by two and a half lengths. Second was the Pour Moi gelding Sacred Elixir, with the So You Think colt Inference third.

“He got a lovely run following the right horses, got out at the right time and sprinted strongly to win comfortably,” said Schofield. “I just followed Sacred Elixir everywhere he went and my horse just out stayed them.”

Adding to the family nature of Saturday’s win, Prized Icon was bred by Gooree Park, the Hunter Valley breeding operation of Eduardo Cojuangco, the grandfather of James’ wife, Monica. By More Then Ready, Prized Icon is out of the Danehill mare Tropical Affair and was passed-in at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale with a reserve of $300,000.

A Group 1 winner of the Champagne Stakes in the Autumn, Prized Icon’s second Group 1 win improves the colt’s record to three wins and seven placings from 13 starts.