Victoria’s leading trainer has been trying for years to win the race but said most of his previous runners had “gone s...house.”

“I reckon I’ve had five or six runners at least and the closest I’ve come was a second (with Field Master),” Weir said.

Big Duke, ridden by apprentice Ben Allen, reversed the Hobart Cup result when he scored by a length from local hero Count Da VInci.

Victorian outsider Tuff Bickie was a close third, just ahead of Settler’s Stone who produced a huge run after missing the start.

Weir said that Big Duke had benefited from a weight advantage over Count Da Vinci but, more importantly, he believed the Hobart Cup run had “toughen him up a bit.”

“He’s only been lightly raced so we’re not sure how far he can go,” Weir said.

“But we’ll more than likely have a crack at the Sydney Cup next and later on I reckon he’s a spring carnival horse.

“This trip away will do him good. There’s nothing like it (to improve a horse).”

Weir was full of praise for Allen’s ride.

“He’s a good young apprentice and he’s made the most of his opportunity,” the trainer said.

“He found the right part of the track and got going at the right time.”

Weir was to have had two runners but the heavily-backed Unfurl was a late scratching on vet’s advice when found to have foot soreness.