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Source: 7news.com.au
Stormy Marco has justified his favouritism with a superb victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The Chris Waller-trained colt with superstar jockey James McDonald on board produced a dominant showing to burst clear on the home straight and win comfortably.
Rank outsider Cold Shower finished a surprise second, ahead of Quick Finish.
Stormy Marco had an outside barrier, but that didn’t worry McDonald in the slightest as he expertly piloted the three-year-old colt through the field.
“It played out really well. It was just like I was on Verry Elleegant again,” McDonald told Racing.com after the race.
“It was so smooth, had room and Zahra (Valliance) and I were at the back having a chat just saying ‘how good are these horses’ in a resting position.
“They finished well and he was just too good.”
It was a fourth Derby triumph for Waller and second for McDonald.
Waller had success in the first race of the Melbourne Cup carnival, when Damian Lane steered The Roaring Sun to victory in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes.
Waller had the quinella with Unhinged, ridden by James McDonald, finishing second ahead of Conquer The World in third.
It is the sixth time Waller has won the traditional carnival opener, and third in succession following triumphs by Aeliana (2024) and Panova (2025).
Waller also claimed the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes with De Armas, ridden by Blake Shinn.