Global Exchange stamps Derby credentials

[Chief Stipe]

Global Exchange has stamped his Australian Derby credentials with a narrow, but impressive win in the Gr. 2 Alister Clark Stakes at Moonee Valley.

The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Global Exchange is favourite for the Australian Derby at Randwick on April 6 which will be his next start after he got the better of Declarationofheart and Cossetot in last night’s 2040-metre race.

Ridden by Ben Melham, Global Exchange, the $2.50 favourite made his run on the outside coming to the home turn and was able to edge past Declarationofheart to score by half-head. Cossetot was the same margin away third.

Global Exchange has now won the Gr. 2 Autumn Classic and Alister Clark at his past two starts.

Melham said The Valley was not the ideal course for big-striding Global Exchange, but he was able to get the job done and Melham believes he has the right attributes heading towards a Derby.

“He’s a nice horse with very good upside,” Melham told broadcaster Racing.com. “He’s got a lovely temperament. He relaxes really well and he’s got a good turn of foot to go with it. So he’s got all the right attributes.”

Eustace said Global Exchange was now primed for the Derby, a race that the colt’s sire Dundeel won in 2014.

“The Derby has been the plan the whole way through, really since the spring when we put him away,” he said. “There looks a lot of upside to him, the further we get.”

Global Exchange is at $5 for the Australian Derby, while runner-up Declarationofheart shares the second line of betting at $8 alongside Victoria Derby winner Extra Brut.

Declarationofheart’s jockey Damien Oliver was suspended for a careless shift at the 700-metre mark, with his ban to start after next week’s Golden Slipper meeting and end in time for the Derby.

 

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