Well named gelding Hanks has shown his star qualities and quashed Victoria Derby plans for a number of his rivals with a stunning win in the Group Two AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley.Trainer Peter Moody described the giant three-year-old as a better chance in the Classic than his 2001 Derby winner Amalfi after Hanks stormed home to beat Spacecraft by a long neck in the 2040 metre race with Spring Champion Stakes placegetter Viking Legend a length away third.Jockey Luke Nolen likened the son of Encost
Well named gelding Hanks has shown his star qualities and quashed Victoria Derby plans for a number of his rivals with a stunning win in the Group Two AAMI Vase at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Peter Moody described the giant three-year-old as a better chance in the Classic than his 2001 Derby winner Amalfi after Hanks stormed home to beat Spacecraft by a long neck in the 2040 metre race with Spring Champion Stakes placegetter Viking Legend a length away third.
Jockey Luke Nolen likened the son of Encosta De Lago to an octopus and said that the bigger track at Flemington would suit him even better.
"He is all legs," Nolen said.
"He feels like he has got eight of them."
But Nolen and Moody have always believed that Hanks was a top stayer in the making and on the strength of Saturday's win he firmed with Betstar from $17 into $8 for the Derby behind Norman Robinson Stakes winner Shamoline Warrior ($3.20) and Geelong Classic placegetter Rockferry ($6.00).
"Ability-wise we have never needed convincing and we are just hopeful that the horse continues to go on in the next seven days like he has the last couple of weeks," Moody said.
He said unlike Amalfi, Hanks was a genuine stayer who wouldn't be out of place in a race from 2400m to 3200m.
"He is a big, raw horse but it is a big carrot in front of you - 2500 metres on a big track at Flemington," Moody said.
Part-owned by Moody's wife Sara, Hanks, being from the Seattle Slew mare Sister Fromseattle, gets his name from actor Tom Hanks who starred in the classic movie Sleepless In Seattle.
Trainer Danny O'Brien said Spacecraft was unlikely to contest the Victoria Derby and would target the Myer Spring Fashion Stakes (1800m) on Oaks Day.
"He is still very new and he is probably not quite ready for a Derby," said O'Brien who also trains Rockferry.
Tony Vasil said fourth-placed Carrara, who tried to lead all the way, would also miss the Derby.
"He had a very good run throughout the whole race and when he was challenged he just didn't stay," Vasil said.
However, trainer David Hayes can't wait for the Derby with Vase fifth placegetter Extra Zero who was wide for most of the race.
He said jockey Brad Rawiller apologised for his ride.
"Don't drop off him (Extra Zero)," Hayes said.
"I thought he did well to hang in and finish where he did under the circumstances."
Six of the last seven Derby winners have contested the AAMI Vase.