O'Brien hopes for Derby Vow

Three-year-old gelding Vow And Declare showed his staying prowess at Warrnanbool on Friday taking on beating the older horses over 2380m.

Challenged and headed at the top of the straight by race favourite and Darren Weir-trained four-year-old Periscope, Vow And Declare fought back and cleared away to win the staying event by a length with a further seven lengths away to third.

Trainer Danny O'Brien was thrilled with the victory and hopes that the son of Declaration Of War will make it into the final VRC Derby field.

"We know he will relish the 2500m and hopefully the prizemoney he has earned today will get him into the final Derby field," O'Brien said.

"His effort when headed today was excellent and to do it as a three-year-old against an older horses further underlines the merit of his win."

The maiden victory for Vow And Declare came at start four and followed up his excellent form which included a second and third at his past two starts.

Pic by Racing Photos