A gallant run by Son Of Mac almost secured the 2023 Group 1 Northern Derby as the three-year-old went within a head of victory at Alexandra Park.
Driver Tony Herlihy, trying to win his sixth Northern Derby, guided Son Of Mac clear of a breaking starter and took him three wide for half a lap before challenging frontrunner and favourite Merlin for the lead.
Herlihy pressed on and took the colt to the front where he controlled the pace until turning for home.
Son Of Mac showed grit as he clung to the lead while Merlin came through his inside via the passing lane.
Merlin got the lead 100 metres from the winning post but Son Of Mac continued to give everything in the run to the line.
In the end, his connections had to settle for a meritorious second placing, and a runners-up stake of $21,000, taking his lifetime earnings to $80,000.
At the tote, Son Of Mac paid $3.10 for the place.
Photo: Merlin just gets the better of Son Of Mac in the finish to the Northern Derby.
Result
Race 7: March 24, 2023
$135,000 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby Mobile Pace (Group 1), 2700m
- Merlin
- Son Of Mac (Tony Herlihy)
- Sinbad
Margins: Head, 1 length, 1 1/2 lengths.
Times: Mile Rate: 1-58.1 Last 800m: 56.7. Last 400m: 27.9.
Race replay
