Less than 24 hours after Carrara earned his fourth stakes success in the Stutt Stakes (Gr 2) at Moonee Valley, Elvstroem was represented by his second stakeswinner when the Gai Waterhouse-trained Viking Legend scored a dominant win in the Dulcify Quality (Listed) over 1800m at Randwick.

After being interfered with at the start to such an extent that jockey Tim Clark earned himself a five meeting suspension, Blake Shinn then gave Viking Legend plenty of time to find his feet before coming through along the inside into the straight to make his challenge. Viking Legend came out into running room with 150m to go and than ran down Saint Encosta (Encosta de Lago) to win going away by a neck with Smart Lady (Catbird) two lengths away in third.

Waterhouse confirmed she will back-up Viking Legend in next Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1) over 2000m and if he runs well there will then head to Melbourne where he will attempt to emulate his sire by winning the Victorian Derby.

“Every time I ask him to improve he’s done it, he’ll go to the Spring Champion Stakes and there’s every chance he’ll go to Melbourne after that.” Waterhouse said after the race.

Viking Legend is nominated for the Victoria Derby at Flemington on October 31.

Bred in partnership by Mark Riley, Geoff and Michael Eastmuire and Dan Mielicki, Viking Legend was a $165,000 purchase by Waterhouse from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2008 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.

He is the third foal and first winner from the Jugah mare Innocent Baby, a half-sister to Summoned Stakes (Listed) winner Innocent Affair (Kingston Rule).

A five-time Group 1 winner from 5 seasons on the track, Elvstroem raced with distinction at the highest level in Dubai, Europe and Hong Kong.

Understandably, the interest in Elvstroem has been rising by the week, especially considering his 2009 fee, which has been reduced to $27,500 this year.