Victoria Derby beckons Anacheeva

Anacheeva burst through a gap in the straight to register a last stride victory in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.  He relegated Darley stablemates The Ruffian and Bullbars in a tight finish.

“Anacheeva is a very nice colt, but I don’t really expect to see the best of him until he gets over further,’ trainer Peter Moody said.  “His immediate goal is the Caulfield Guineas but the long term plan is the Victoria Derby.”

Anacheeva (Anabaa) was an impressive debut winner at Sale last season and showed enough talent for Moody to take him interstate where he ran a close up fourth in the G1 Champagne Stakes at Randwick.

The Widden Stud graduate was a $110,000 buy at the 2009 Inglis Easter yearling sale.  His dam Monroe Magic is a Zabeel mare and she has already foaled G1 AJC Australian Derby winner Headturner (Anabaa) and G2 STC Premiere Stakes winner Kroner (Viking Ruler).

Moody was also prepared to excuse the unplaced run of his well supported stablemate Achievements (Redoute’s Choice).  “I’ll forgive him that effort,” Moody explained.  “He had to do a lot of work early and just got run off his feet.”