Group One glory reduces pain

PROMINENT horseman Anton Golino received the perfect tonic yesterday.

Recently undergoing back surgery, Golino was pain free after Cravache Dor captured the Victoria Trotters' Derby in Maryborough.

Proving too slick as the $1.70 favourite, Cravache Dor's success was his second Group One triumph for the season having secured the Need For Speed Prince Final in September.

"I've had some back problems for a while which needed surgery," Golino explained. "The surgery went well, and if all goes as it should, I'll be right going forward.

"Winning any race helps, but to pick up the Derby certainly took any residual pain away."

Driven a treat by Nathan Jack, Cravache Dor led throughout from barrier three to score by 10-and-a-half metres from Harry Stamper, which was gallant after racing in the 'death seat'.

Courage Stride was 12 metres away third.

Rating a track record 1:58.9 over 2690 metres, the son of Orlando Vici provided Golino with his second victory in the Blue Riband, following his 2017 win with Une Belle Allure.

To be given an easy week - Cravache Dor, not Golino - will then be primed for the upcoming Breeders' Crown heats.

"He'll have a couple of quiet days now," Golino said. "He's got the Breeders' Crown next, so I'll keep him ticking along for that."