Moonlight Maid was gallant in defeat behind Miami Bound and Never Listen in the 2500 metres race.

The win of Miami Bound capped off a huge week for Danny O'Brien. He trained Vow And Declare to win the Melbourne Cup.

Southern Moon ran second for Freedman, who now trains at Ballarat, in the VRC Derby on Saturday while Bravo Tango won a restricted race for the former Russell's Creek footballer on Tuesday.

WARRNAMBOOL trainer Aaron Purcell may look at minor country cups in the future for Midas Prince after he ran third in a $125,000 benchmark 90 race.

Midas Prince ridden by Dean Yendall finished less than four lengths from the winner Savaheat with Mr Money Bags in second place.

"Midas Prince is an improving type," Purcell told The Standard.

"He was a raw type of horse who was slow maturing but he's starting to put it together now. I'm not sure where he'll run next but in the back of my mind I think he could measure up to a country cup in the future."

The five-year-old, who won consecutive races at Ballarat and Geelong before his Flemington run, has won three races for Purcell since he took over the training of Midas Prince earlier in the year.

From his 16 starts Midas Prince has won more then $90,000 in stakemoney for his connections.

Boom local galloper Harbour Views lost no admiriers with a second placing in the $500,000 Country Final.

The Matthew Williams-trained Harbour Views was attempting his sixth consecutive win but failed to reel in Star Missile over the concluding stages.

Williams other runner Brilliant Concept ran tenth in the Country Final while Rebellious Lord, trained by Mark O'Donnell, finished well back in the same race.

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