Flemington Becomes Pagan’s Newest Paddock

Dennis Pagan earns first Group 1 win as Johnny Get Angry outstays his rivals in the 2020 Victoria Derby.

Pagan was overcome with emotion over the “something special” victory on the racing.com broadcast.

“I’ve finally trained a winner, and I got a group 1.

“I’d never in a million years thought it would happen.

“I’ve never been emotional. As I just said I was potting Chris Waller for sooking up, how am I going,” Pagan said.

The 73-year-old had only sent 11 horses to the races before winning his first race with his 12th runner.

Johnny Get Angry had his seventh start on Derby day, with the Derby being the target race from the beginning.

“You dream about it, that’s what I’m thinking about, that’s all I’m thinking about – for the last two-months, thinking about getting here.

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“I just wanted to get him into the derby, and he’s won it,” Pagan said.

Jockey, Lachlan King, broke through for his first Group 1 win in what was his only ride of the day.

King gave the 3-year-old Gelding a super steer finding the back of favourite, Young Werther, just off the pace.

“(I) just wanted to switch off for the first 80% of the race, just bide (my) time, then at the 800m have a look at who (I was) following, then try and get on the back of those 3-or-4 jockeys.

“I just happened to be on the back of the favourite (Young Werther) and popped off his back and he just towed me to the front.

“Just everything went to plan and like, it was just a fairy-tale,” King said.

Johnny Get Angry looked to have plenty to give at the top of the straight and the young apprentice jockey had mixed feelings about it.

“I was just going too good and I thought; I’ve really got to time this rid because I knew Ollie (Damien Oliver) would pull something out.

“When I let him down (Johnny Get Angry), he just flowed for me with the blinkers on – then, it was over.

“It’s really unbelievable, I just can’t explain it – so amazing,” King said.

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The 22-year-old was grateful towards Dennis Pagan for taking a chance on him on such a big occasion.

“I really have to thank Dennis, like he’s (Johnny Get Angry) been the best that that has happened in my career and I just can’t believe it,” King said.

Pagan has always been one to give young guys an opportunity, even during his days as an AFL coach.

“It happens a lot in footy, I’ve stuck with young blokes in footy, and they’ve come through. I’m so glad I did and it’s great for him too,” Pagan said.

Dennis Pagan, previously an AFL coach for North Melbourne and Carlton, had ‘Pagan’s Paddock’ coined after one of his Premiership Coaching tactics.

It was a technique where he cleared out the forward fifty for superstar forwards, like Wayne Carey to dominate.

Johnny Get Angry cleared out his rivals to make Flemington ‘Pagan’s Paddock’.

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