The Listed events are traditionally held on ANZAC Day Race Day at Flemington but were redistributed by Racing Victoria following the decision not to reschedule ANZAC Day Race Day.
In recent years, the ANZAC Day Stakes has been a stepping stone to success at the highest level for hoses such as Merchant Navy and Super Seth and this year it was Legacies who showed her spring potential with a dominant win.
The two-year-old filly carried the Rosemont Stud colours for trainer Peter Moody and jockey Luke Nolen, with Nolen also winning aboard Merchant Navy in 2017.
Peter Moody told Racing.com he had some lofty goals in mind for the daughter of Justify.
“Might be the Flight Stakes in October and the Thousand Guineas in late November…she’s going to be a better three-year-old,” Moody said.
Later in the day the VRC St Leger was run over the revised distance of 3000m, making it a true staying test for three-year-olds.
It was a boilover, with race outsider Dunwoody coming out on top for trainer Matt Cumani and jockey Jordan Childs.
Dunwoody was having just his fifth start and Jordan Childs told Racing.com the 3000m trip suited the son of Victoria Derby winner Preferment.
“I was able to get in a nice rhythm and from the thousand meters I was able to step it up…he just kept on coming,” Childs said.
Matt Cumani was full of praise for Dunwoody.
“Fantastic result…he’s the sort of horse you would want to take to war with you,” Cumani told Racing.com.
“I actually worked with Preferment when I worked at Chris Waller’s and always liked the horse, he had real character and strength.”
