Former AFL-winning coach Denis Pagan pulled off the kind of doubles that no sports drama writer would have dared imagine
The 73-year-old led his former club AFL North Melbourne to the flags in 1996 and 1999 for a decade when they were the most consistent and talented team in the competition
But on Saturday, he showed he was just as good with racehorses as he was with soccer stars when his galloper Johnny Get Angry ($ 21) blown more imaginary rivals to clinch the Victoria Derby, a $ 2 5 million races for the country’s cream of the spring remaining at three years
An emotional pagan was lost for words after his exceptional triumph given his age, inexperience as a trainer, and the fact that he was able to clinch Australia’s oldest classic race with a horse who had failed to win in their previous six starts
It was also a day to remember for his young driver, Lachlan King, an apprentice claiming an allowance – that he was not allowed to participate in a Group 1 race like this
The success was a confirmation of Pagan’s faith in the young, a quality he demonstrated time and time again in his days as he took young players through the tough and demanding system of the North
Major sporting events always seem to generate compelling narratives or conjure up memories of previous dramatic renewals
If Pagan’s victory wasn’t enough, King’s triumph also brought a sense of symmetry to the occasion as he emulated his father, the now-retired top jockey Steven King He had also won the Derby as a young man in 1991 when he scored on Star of The Realm
The successful coach was known as a tough man during his days in the AFL coach’s box, but he admitted he had mellowed a bit by preparing a Derby contender compared to to the way it was when setting up a squad for a grand finale
« I was a zombie like in the Grand AFL last week To think of all the big finals I participated in Yesterday I ate lunch, drank too much and I was just going to enjoy the moment », was he declared
« My wife told me you shouldn’t be doing any more interviews and I ended up doing them until 730 last night I didn’t care, I just wanted to enjoy the day
» I never thought in a million years that this would happen and he did You can dream about it I’ve been thinking about it for two months, thinking about bringing him here I just wanted to do it enter the Derby
« When you’re a little older and you’re a silly old jerk it hits me and I couldn’t help myself I’ve never been like this and I just couldn’t talk
« I thought he had half a chance but I was worried about the pace of the race It was slowly executed and I thought something like Cherry Tortoni was going to go whoosh But it wasn’t supposed to be
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« I was never moved I was repotting Chris Waller for sooking (Sydney’s main trainer who often cries when his horses win big races) How am I »
Son of New Zealand sire Tavistock of a Zabeel mare, Johnny Get Angry rewarded Pagan’s patience by quietly bringing the $ 50,000 purchase from New Zealand sales, showing improvement in every race, from as the distances grew longer
Pagan used King throughout and never thought of throwing the youngster despite the stakes that were at stake
» This has happened a lot in jogging with young guys before and I’m so glad I did «
« I really have to thank Denis, » he said « It’s the best thing that has happened to me in my career I can’t believe it, » said the young rider
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» I had so many dreams and woke up before the post thinking I had won a group 1 I couldn’t believe it when I hit the post and would have really won It’s amazing »
Michael Lynch is the chief football reporter for The Age and also reports on motorsport and horse racing
Victoria Derby, Denis Pagan, North Melbourne Football Club, Horse Racing, Australian Football League, Melbourne Cup Carnival
World News – AU – Pagan Lands Derby with Johnny Get Angry at incredible chalk double
