31 Oct 2020Johnny Get Angry credited Tavistock with further posthumous honours today with victory in the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington.
Bred by former Tavistock share-holder Greg Perry under his Greenwich Stud banner, the gelding proved the superior stayer to break his maiden in timely fashion.
He also boosted the profile of his younger half-brother by Almanzor, who will be sold by Cambridge Stud at Karaka next year.
Johnny Get Angry kept the leaders within his sights and when asked for a serious effort he produced an irresistible finish.
He is owned and trained by former AFL coach Dennis Pagan, who coached North Melbourne to win premierships in 1996 and 1999.
"I can't believe it. I didn't think he could do it. I just wanted to have a runner in it and now he's won it," he said.
"Everyone was telling me I should use a senior jockey. I wanted to stick with Lachie, who has stuck with me. He's ridden all of my starters."
Pagan was referring to Lachlan King, son of multiple Group 1-winning jockey Steven.
“It’s unbelievable, just amazing and we thought we could win if everything went to plan,” said Lachlan King.
“We got into a good spot and he just exploded for me.”
Johnny Get Angry was a $50,000 Karaka graduate from the Bradbury Park draft and had previously placed twice at black type level before his breakthrough victory.
He is out of Luminova, a Zabeel mare from the family of the G2 Autumn Classic winner and G1 Caulfield Guineas runner-up Fubu.
Tavistock also sired the Victoria Derby third placegetter Young Werther, who was making just his third race day appearance.