Craig Williams has endorsed Positive Carry's Victoria Derby prospects after partnering the Kiwi colt to victory at Sale on Wednesday.
The Derby-winning rider steered the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained three-year-old to a narrow-but-resolute win in the 1738-metre Laurels Function Centre Maiden Plate that kicked off the card.
It was just the second start for the son of Savabeel, who finished second over 1411m at the same track on debut.
Williams said the 2500m Derby was often not won by the best horse and Positive Carry shaped as a true stayer.
"As a three-year-old you don't have to be that good and he can stay," said Williams, who won the 2007 Derby on Kibbutz.
"He's got that and that was only his second-up run (today), he'll get loads of experience out of today, so they are in a position to have a potential good chance in a Derby this year."
Positive Carry, the $2.60 favourite, wore down Miss Dubois ($8.50) - who for a few strides shaped as Michelle Payne's first winner since returning from injury - to score a last-stride win, with $41 chance Captain Rhett close up in third.
"The race worked out perfectly until he was off the bridle then shunted wide on the turn, but outstayed them late," Williams said.
Young suggested post-race that Positive Carry would next head to the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 2, where he would be tested against some other Derby hopefuls.
Positive Carry tightened into $21 in CrownBet's Derby market, which is headed by Sacred Elixir at $8. -racing.com
The Derby-winning rider steered the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained three-year-old to a narrow-but-resolute win in the 1738-metre Laurels Function Centre Maiden Plate that kicked off the card.
It was just the second start for the son of Savabeel, who finished second over 1411m at the same track on debut.
Williams said the 2500m Derby was often not won by the best horse and Positive Carry shaped as a true stayer.
"As a three-year-old you don't have to be that good and he can stay," said Williams, who won the 2007 Derby on Kibbutz.
"He's got that and that was only his second-up run (today), he'll get loads of experience out of today, so they are in a position to have a potential good chance in a Derby this year."
Positive Carry, the $2.60 favourite, wore down Miss Dubois ($8.50) - who for a few strides shaped as Michelle Payne's first winner since returning from injury - to score a last-stride win, with $41 chance Captain Rhett close up in third.
"The race worked out perfectly until he was off the bridle then shunted wide on the turn, but outstayed them late," Williams said.
Young suggested post-race that Positive Carry would next head to the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 2, where he would be tested against some other Derby hopefuls.
Positive Carry tightened into $21 in CrownBet's Derby market, which is headed by Sacred Elixir at $8. -racing.com
