Observer’s hold on favouritism for next week’s Victoria Derby became vice-like a week out from the Flemington Classic after the classy colt dominated his rivals in Saturday’s $400,000 Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase.

A $3.50 favourite for the 2500-metre Group 1 Derby before the Vase, Observer is now odds-on with some operators after an arrogant win under Mark Zahra in the 2040m Vase.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Mark Zahra eases up aboard Observer in ‘arrogant’ win.

Observer had the race won by the 150m, when four lengths clear, but was eased down late by Zahra and the half-length winning margin over Providence didn’t do the ease of the win justice.

“He’s going to pull it up near the line and ease it right down for an arrogant win,” Matt Hill said in commentary.

Bruce McAvaney on Channel 7 laugh

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