AUTHOR: TONY MILANESE – HARNESSLINK
Mister Devereaux showed a sparkling return to form with a narrow but impressive victory in the Group 1 $75,000 Yabby Dam Farms Victoria Trotters Derby at Maryborough on Sunday afternoon.
Driven by Emmett Brosnan, Mister Devereaux has always shown ability, having previously won two races earlier in the season. However, from the second row, he was not as highly regarded as some of the main prospects, but he proved all the doubters wrong with a strong performance.
Howdy Mate, who ended up favourite, commenced well out wide but had to do some work to get past Munny The Munster, who ended up taking a trail behind the leader. The other fancied candidate, Kyvalley Ray, galloped at the start, effectively losing all chance.
Mister Devereaux was able to weave his way through to obtain a one-out, one-back trail, while the Mount Gambier visitor Muscle Valley was right behind him. The Preacher took off around the field when the pace was slow to race outside the leader.
James Herbertson was able to slow the field down, running the first two quarters in a leisurely 32.2 and 33.2 seconds, but he was still inclined to hang in. However, favourite backers were in trouble near the final bend when Mister Devereaux started to issue a challenge, with Muscle Valley also staking a claim.
Mister Devereaux reached the lead halfway down the straight and, in a desperate finish, only just held off a late challenge from Muscle Valley, who dived right on the line. Munny The Munster obtained an inside run to finish third.
Once again, the race proved to be a testing staying event, and those with the trail were able to finish best. Outside the placegetters, there were few excuses for the beaten division, although the Victoria Oaks winner Ijustcantseeit finished on well for fourth after being bottled up along the rail.
“I am speechless. Ask the old man. It’s pretty hard to do for me,” Brosnan said.
“It’s a really proud moment,” he said.
“He’s really talented. He can just make mistakes, but he put it all together today,” Brosnan said.
Lola Devereaux, the dam of Mister Devereaux, was by Bacardi Lindy and won three races in her career. She has missed getting in foal over a number of years, but she has a yearling colt by King Of The North.
Muscle Valley, who is trained by Matthew Horsnall at Mount Gambier, almost pulled off an upset win, but there was plenty to like about his performance. Similar to Mister Devereaux, he should mature into a good four-year-old next season.
