Brown had partnered the Matt Laurie-trained Duke Of Neworleans in trackwork prior to his first race-day experience, where he proved a handful.
“Geez he’s green,” Brown said of the three-year-old gelding. “Going to the barriers he was shying at everything. He’s a pretty forward sort of horse but he’s got a lot of upside.”
Duke Of Neworleans ($1.65 favourite) was far more professional when the gates opened, settling in the lead and assuming control of the race before bounding clear inside the final 200 metres on the Heavy 8 track for the easiest of wins.
WATCH: Duke Of Neworleans’ win
“He has a nice big action on him and he’s got plenty more wins in store,” Brown said.
“He didn’t get through the (Heavy) going too bad but in saying that, I think he’s just a nice horse, wet ground or dry ground won’t worry him too much.”
Duke Of Neworleans, who was withdrawn from the 2019 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, is by Hallowed Crown out of Encosta de Lago mare Page Three Girl, who is the dam of metropolitan winners Magic Sight and Puckapunyal.
2019 C.F. Orr Stakes winner Manuel holds the record for the biggest maiden victory at Geelong since 2007, winning his fifth start over 1112m by 10 lengths under Kerrin McEvoy as $1.14 favourite in November 2016.
Other horses to win their maiden by six lengths or more at Geelong in recent times include Zabeelionaire (2012 South Australian Derby winner), Oceanex (2020 Andrew Ramsden winner), Sovereign Award (2020 Tesio Stakes winner), Buffett (2008 Moonee Valley Vase runner-up), Star Fashion (2014 Ladies’ Day Vase winner) and Princess Jenni (2019 Australasian Oaks winner).
WIDE MARGIN GEELONG MAIDEN WINNERS – Since August 2007
Manuel; 10 lengths over 1112 metres, November 13, 2016
Duke Of Neworleans; 8 lengths over 1212 metres, December 22, 2020
Star D’Vega; 8 lengths over 2400 metres, December 26, 2017
Zebeelionaire; 8 lengths over 1700 metres, March 29, 2012
Oceanex; 7 lengths over 1700 metres, December 15, 2018
Rasa Lila; 7 lengths over 1741 metres, March 13, 2014
Sovereign Award; 7 lengths over 1212 metres, April 28, 2019
Emira; 7 lengths over 1218 metres, April 11, 2014
