Commentator George Simon will be the first to admit he didn’t cover himself in glory in the final stages of his call on the Gr.3 Inglis Sales Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), but he had good reason as Denby Road, the horse that he and wife Maryanne bred and race, saluted in the Group Three feature.

The giant three-year-old son of Shamexpress, who stands over 17 hands high, was having his first start since finishing midfield in the Gr.2 Waikato Guineas (2000m) back in February and paraded in tip top order for trainer Shelley Hale.

Simon had lost an argument with Hale and his wife as to where their charge should kick off his new campaign and after being over-ruled, he had the pleasure of witnessing rider Ryan Elliot produce a gem to burst between runners at the 200m and hold out the late challenge of Petrucci to collect career win number two and his first at stakes level.

Hale admitted they have held the horse in high regard since his early days and the victory justified that opinion.