KEY POINTS:
Geelong-trained 3-year-old Distant Melody emerged as a contender for the group two Sandown Guineas next Saturday after winning the Listed Glyde Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Having just his second race start, the Distant Music gelding made a sensational transition to stakes level in the 1410m event after winning his only previous start at Terang.
Trainer Craig Conron said Saturday was a huge test for Distant Melody who he believes could be one of the stars of the autumn.
"I don't normally throw horses in the deep end like this but I wanted to see where he is at for the autumn," Conron said.
"He's always shown us plenty and I wanted to test him today."
Distant Melody began so well that James Winks threw away race plans to ride him in behind the speed and was presented with the race when he defied a racing trend by staying near the rails while the rest of the field fanned wide on the home turn.
"The plan was to teach him today and get a sit in behind the speed but he began so well and was straight into the bridle," Winks said.
"I had quite an easy time of it, quickened up from 600m and I was laughing because they all went out wide.
"Staying where I was probably won me the race but having said that he was strong on the line."
Distant Melody started at $26 and held on to win by a short neck from the $3.70 favourite El Mandon, with Flea Flicker ($31) three-quarters of a length away third.
Conron said a Sandown Guineas (1600m) start would depend on how well Distant Melody recovered from the event.
"If he does all right next week we will run him, otherwise he will go for a break and come back for the autumn."
* The aggregate crowd of 397,413 was the second-highest ever for the four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival, trailing only last year's record of 418,069.
The Victoria Racing Club (VRC) was delighted with the Emirates Stakes Day record crowd of 84,067, up from the previous best of 78,158 in 2006, on Saturday which concluded the carnival.
A crowd of 115,705 attended on Derby Day, the second-highest attendance behind last year's record of 129,089. The Melbourne Cup day crowd figure was 102,411, down 4280 on last year, while the Oaks Day crowd was 95,230, compared with 104,131 last year.
- AAP
