Observer delivered a commanding front-running performance to claim the $2 million Victoria Derby (2500m), capping an extraordinary opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival for Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra and Godolphin.

The Ghaiyyath colt handed Godolphin their second three-year-old Group 1 of the day, following Tentyris’ win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

For Zahra, it was his fourth win in succession after earlier triumphs aboard Getta Good Feeling in the Wakeful Stakes and Warnie in The Damien Oliver.

Maher’s stable also landed major prizes at Randwick with Jimmysstar and Pride Of Jenni in the Empire Rose Stakes.

“I think the sky’s the limit for this colt,” Maher said. “He’s won a Vase, now a Derby — he’s just like his old man.”

Zahra led all the way from barrier four to win as the $2.45 favourite, securing his first Victoria Derby and Maher’s second after Hitotsu in 2021.