The Derby proved a fitting result for the winner, Preferment, who broke his maiden status, Chris Waller, his first winner in Melbourne, be it a maiden, an outstanding ride from Damian Oliver and don’t leave out the sire, Zabeel.

Whilst Preferment was a maiden and lightly raced, he proved the better stayer, and the winning margin may have been slender, but it was left to the better stayer.

It was Chris Waller’s first classic winner in Melbourne, and a maiden, it was a great training performance by the Sydney based trainer.

Waller praised the colt more so than training feat saying, “he was out three wide with not much cover, he is a big rawish colt, the penny is just beginning to drop,” he added.

It was again Oliver at his best, they come no better than him; he scouted wide on the turn instead of taking the saloon passage that could have closed as soon as it appeared.

Preferment is by Zabeel, the most dominant source of staying power in the southern hemisphere, now in his 28th year the Derby win was his 45th Group 1 success, equalling his own sire ,Sir Tristram.

The favourite, Hampton Court, was entitled to give up on the home turn; he surrendered after doing all the chasing behind the leader, Royal Standard, for most of the way.

Bondeiger turned in a good run; he is a likely type, as for the others they all knocked up failing to stay.

Preferment - Damian Oliver winning the Victoria Derby