Young gun's personal milestone

LEADING young reinsman Ryan Sanderson celebrated a personal milestone in Melton tonight.

Victoria's premier concession driver last year - and sitting on top of the table again this season - Sanderson registered his initial Group One triumph by guiding Fox Dan to glory in the Victoria Derby.

The victory also moved Sanderson's win tally to 499, meaning another milestone is not far away!

Fox Dan's success is also trainer Emma Stewart's fifth in the Blue Riband, following Our Little General in 2017, Act Now in 2021, Petracca in '23 and Best Deal last year.

"I am lost for words," Sanderson declared. "This is amazing.

"I don't want to be too dramatic, but it is life changing driving horses like him in races such as this.

"I can't thank Emma, Clayton (Tonkin) and his owners enough for giving me such incredible opportunities."

After working to lead from the pole, Fox Dan was eased to take a trail behind fellow heat winner, Sao Paulo Simbo.

Angled away from the pegs at the top of the home straight, Fox Dan quickly reclaimed the front before dashing to a two-and-a-half metre win from his stablemate, Captain Perfect, which was gallant after racing in the 'death seat'.

Its Confidential was a half-neck away third.

"I was a little worried with that lead time as he had to burn pretty hard," Sanderson said. "That's why I took a sit as I felt Sao Paulo Simbo would take me into the home straight.

"I had to go a little earlier than I planned, but as soon as I pulled him out, he never felt like he was going to be beaten."

Owned by Danny Zavitsanos and Paul Fox, the son of Art Major rated 1:54.9 over 2760 metres, taking his record to an impressive 10 wins and four placings from 15 starts for earnings of $647,005.