Melbourne Cup favourite White Marlin was sensationally upstaged as $1.22 favourite at Pakenham on Thursday night.
The previously unbeaten grey, prepared by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, led into the straight only to be overhauled in the last 200m by D’aguilar, a $14 outsider, in the rescheduled William Newton VC Handicap (2000m).
White Marlin, who had won his previous six starts, eased from $8 to $11 in TAB’s pre-nominations Melbourne Cup market after the defeat.
D’aguilar camped behind the speed and relished the rise in distance after two lacklustre runs the past two starts over 1400m and 1600m.
D’aguilar benefited from a 6.5kg weight advantage over White Marlin in the 2000m handicap and was too strong over the concluding stages and was drawing clear on the line.
Queensland Derby-bound Aberfeldie Boy, who placed in the Group 1 Victoria Derby last November and recently won a soft Cranbourne maiden, impressed against the older horses to run third.
White Marlin has been aimed at the Melbourne Cup-qualifying Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on May 13.
Last year’s Ramsden winner, Lloyd and Nick Williams-owned Point Nepean hunted up along the inside to run fourth in the 2000m handicap in a pleasing first-up performance for Ben and JD Hayes.
