Racing: Victory caps day for NZ industry

Photo / Paul Estcourt

Lion Tamer's stunning Victoria Derby win capped a great day for the New Zealand thoroughbred industry at Flemington.

The New Zealand-bred, owned and trained colt tamed a quality field on a rain-sodden track.

Lion Tamer is owned by Tauranga identity Phil Bayly, 87, and is trained for him at Cambridge by Murray Baker and his son Bjorn. Bayly was on hand at Flemington to cheer his horse home and will have Harris Tweed in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.

New Zealand-bred Praecedo, by One Cool Cat out of a Montjeu mare, was second home in the Derby.

Brilliant New Zealand-bred So You Think showed his star class again to capture the other big feature of the day - the Mackinnon Stakes.

The winner and runner-up, the Gai Waterhouse-trained Descarado, are both by stallion sensation High Chaparral who stood several seasons at Windsor Park Stud, Cambridge.

So You Think is now a hot favourite for the Melbourne Cup with Caulfield Cup winner Descarado also one of the top fancies.

Waikato-trained Ginga Dude, ridden by Michael Walker, was third home in the Mackinnon.

Maluckyday, a 4-year-old son of ageing Zabeel, scored a decisive win in the Lexus Stakes to force his way into the Melbourne Cup.