Justify colt books place in Derby with Byerley Handicap success
Arcora (Justify) staked an early claim for the VRC Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) with a stirring victory in Melbourne’s traditional early dress rehearsal for young stayers in Saturday’s Byerley Handicap (1800m) at Flemington.
Well ridden by John Allen, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young–trained colt started a $4.20 favourite in the time-honoured event and didn’t disappoint, settling in second under an easy pace, taking the lead under a hold at the 250 metres then pinching a break inside the final furlong.
That allowed the colt to have 0.3 lengths to spare on the line from Godolphin’s unlucky and fast-finishing Bayou Music (Street Boss), who was $5 fourth favourite in an even field of eight. Third went to a colt by another Darley sire in Arabian Prince (Ghaiyyath), at $8.50.
The Byerley brings direct entry for the winner to the Derby at Flemington on November 1, and Arcora hinted he’d be well suited for an attempt at the Classic.
“That was about as close as we wanted him to be in the run, but obviously a two-year-old stepping up to that trip the first time, there’s never going to be any tempo, but also knowing the horse, you can’t really lead on him as he floats,” stable representative Sam Griggs told Racing.com.
“I reckon he had more to give there, and he was holding them well enough on the line, so it’s just terrific to get the result for a great group of owners including Brian Rutter and Max Whitby and their mates.
“I thought after his first-up run over 1400 metres, I said to Trent and Natalie, ‘He’s the Derby horse’.
“He’s just got so much improvement ahead of him and he’s done the job today.
“It’s just nice to tick the box and it will do him the world of good to get his head down in front because he’s been going close and he got the killer blow in today.”
Arcora had run three placings in his first four runs before Saturday, including a last-start third in the Taj Rossi Series Final (Listed, 1600m).
Allen said Arcora was showing he had the potential to measure up to a race such as the Derby.
“It was a good win,” he told Racing.com. “It was a race we went very slow in. He travelled into it good. He hit the front and he was just waiting for them a little bit there, but he had enough in reserve to hold them off.
“Although he’s big and tall, he’s quite well developed for a two-year-old, and he’s got plenty of strength about him.
“I’m sure they’ll give him a little break and push on to a spring campaign. I imagine they’ll be thinking of something like a Derby for him in the spring. I’ll be interested to see how he measures up but it certainly feels like he has the raw ability.”
Arcora was bred by Coolmore Stud concern Katom, from the third of four Australian crops by the farm’s US Triple Crown–winning former shuttler Justify (Scat Daddy), and was bought by Busuttin for $225,000 at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
While he may be headed for the Derby, Arcora hails from a mostly sprinting family.
He’s the third foal out of the unraced Casuarina Forest (Fastnet Rock), a full-sister to Foxwedge, winner of the MVRC William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and two other Group sprints.
Another full sibling, She’s A Fox, also won short course black type in the ATC Rosebud Handicap (Listed, 1200m).
Casuarina Forest is performing well as a broodmare with just two foals racing so far.
The first is the Vincent Malady-trained Foxy Cleopatra (American Pharoah), a city winner who’s been placed four times at Group 3 level up to 2000 metres, and once in Listed company over 1600 metres.
Casuarina Forest’s colt by Coolmore shuttler St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni) was sold by the stud for $170,000 to Hayfields Racing and Intel Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale this year. She missed to the same stallion in 2023, and was covered last spring by Justify again.