Two-time AFL premiership coach Denis Pagan has achieved a remarkable feat after training Johnny Get Angry to victory in the Victoria Derby just four months after saddling up his first runner as a trainer.
Key points:
- Denis Pagan only gained an owner-trainers’ licence six months ago
- He coach the Kangaroos to two AFL premierships in the 1990s
- Johnny Get Angry defeated Hit The Shot by a length to win the Victoria Derby
The 73-year-old Pagan, who coached North Melbourne to AFL premierships in 1996 and 1999, has had only 12 runners under his owner-trainers’ licence, which he took out six months ago.
Pagan was in tears after the $2 million race at Flemington, as was apprentice jockey Lachlan King, who also rode his first Group One winner in what was his only ride for the day.
“I can’t believe it. I didn’t think he could do it,” Pagan said.
“I just wanted to have a runner in it and now he’s won it.
King’s father Steven also rode two Victoria Derby winners, having triumphed on Star Of The Realm in 1991 and Helenus in 2002.
Pagan, who also coached Carlton in the AFL, said he had always backed young players as an Australian rules coach and that was why he stuck with the 22-year-old King.
“Everyone was telling me I should use a senior jockey,” Pagan said.
“I wanted to stick with Lachie, who has stuck with me. He’s ridden all of my starters.”
King, who considered giving away racing earlier this year, said Pagan had already had a massive impact on his young career.
The victory was his second city winner for the season.
“I can’t believe it, it’s so amazing,” King said.
Pagan thanked Troy Corstens for picking the son of Tavistock out as a yearling and buying him for $50,000 at the New Zealand sales.
Pagan trains from Flemington out of the Corstens’ Malua stables.
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Johnny Get Angry was a maiden going into the Victoria Derby and he became the fourth to claim the race in the past 30 years.
Johnny Get Angry defeated Hit The Shot by a length, with Young Werther a short neck away third.
Hit The Shot’s rider Fred Kersley was fined $10,000 by Racing Victoria stewards for excessive whip use and suspended for nine days over his Derby ride.
Stewards said Kersley struck Hit The Shot 14 times in total and on 10 occasions before the 100 metres, which was five over the limit.
AAP/ABC
