By MIKE DILLON
Paul O'Sullivan knew he was standing in the right place in the Flemington birdcage.
Just the timing was wrong.
O'Sullivan watched Chris Munce bring Falls The Shadow back after finishing third in the $A1 million Victoria Derby on Saturday and smiled.
"This is going to be a top cups horse one day,"
The Matamata trainer picked up $A90,000 for his owners Tim Bodle and Gerard Peterson, but would much rather Falls The Shadow had been in the spelling paddock.
The owners had talked O'Sullivan into starting the 3-year-old.
"I can't argue with their reasoning, but this horse is going to be better with time."
Does that cups prediction perhaps mean a Melbourne Cup of the future?
"Who knows."
If guts is required to win a Melbourne Cup then Falls The Shadow could well make it to Flemington's famous race.
He was under severe pressure when Munce asked him to get past the hot favourite Skalato and take third 125m out, and at no stage did he flinch.
Falls The Shadow has a magnificent frame, which should fill beautifully with time.
The Derby looked won a long way out when Melbourne-trained Hit The Roof made his bid in the home straight and rider Glen Boss said he was confident even at the halfway stage.
"He gave me such a great feel that I knew I had the race won at the 800m. He's a serious horse."
Universal Prince ran on strongly from a long way back, rider Justin Sheehan taking the smart option of sticking to the inside rail in the home straight.
There was a sensation before the race when stewards deliberated whether to allow Skalto to start after declaring the horse had returned a dodgy swab.
A second test was clear and stewards left the decision to trainer Clarrie Conners, who was told that if Skalato returned another unfavourable swab after the race there would be serious consequences.
"I want to run, God help us," said Conners.
The horses were being saddled when the announcement Skalato would start was made.
Skalato was given a beautiful run by Patrick Payne, but was under pressure on the home bend and surrendered third to Falls The Shadow in the last two strides.
Racing: Right place, wrong time for O'Sullivan
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