Aramayo puts Derby aspirations to the test at Moonee Valley

The G1 performer Aramayo will have his final tune-up before the G1 Victoria Derby when he runs in Saturday’s G2 Vase at Moonee Valley.

Aramayo proved he was a colt worthy of high aspirations when a luckless second in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at his latest appearance and trainer James Cummings is satisfied he is ready for the ultimate three-year-old test at Flemington on Saturday, 3 November.

“If he’s able to run well here on Saturday, then I think it will tell us that he’s ready to go at Flemington,” Cummings said.

“He’s in need of another 2000m run before we proceed to the Derby.

“We’re pleased with him, we haven’t needed to do too much with him in between races.

“He was clean in the wind after a solid gallop on the course proper at Flemington on Tuesday morning and he loved the surface.

“The Vase is a race that should suit him, but it looks like being a big field and he’ll need to have his wits about him as a young colt travelling interstate for the first time.”

A son of the G1-winning miler Poet’s Voice, Aramayo’s stamina potential can be found through his dam Peruvian whose family includes In The Wings whose three G1 wins included the G1 Breeders’ Cup Turf.

Aramayo (Tye Angland) will be accompanied in the Vase by his stablemate Cloak (Glyn Schofield) who finished second to him in the G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle in August.

The Godolphin colts will be opposed by a quality field of Derby aspirants, including the last start winners Verry Elleegant and Vow And Declare and the Listed winner Micky Blue Eyes.