Derby Day. The first of the four-day Flemington Spring carnival and for the punting purist, it’s akin to Christmas.
Nine races, all Group races, three Group 1’s, including the VRC Derby, which is the oldest feature race in Australia having been run and won since 1855.
In addition to the Derby, three-year-old sprinting stars will battle down the Flemington straight in the Coolmore Stud Stakes while the Empire Rose Stakes for the fillies and mares wraps up the Group 1 slate.
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In Sydney, the $10 million Golden Eagle will be run and won – a terrific support act and a race that’s gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2019. See our comprehensive runner-by-runner preview here.
But the bulk of the action will be at Flemington Racecourse this Saturday. Let’s find a winner!
WHEN IS IT?
Saturday, November 2.
WHERE IS IT?
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
RACE SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Race 1 (12:20pm) – Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes – 1600m
Race 2 (1pm) – Group 3 The TAB Vanity – 1400m
Race 3 (1:40pm) – Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes – 1200m
Race 4 (2:20pm) – Group 2 The Damien Oliver – 1400m
Race 5 (3pm) – Group 2 Wakeful Stakes – 2000m
Race 6 (3:40pm) – Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m
Race 7 (4:20pm) – Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500m
Race 8 (5pm) – Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – 1600m
Race 9 (5:40pm) – Group 3 Furphy Sprint – 1100m
GROUP 1 RACE PREVIEWS
Race 6 (3:40pm): Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m
ANALYSIS: Traffic Warden (3) was scratched at the gates in the Everest – a race he was on the third line of betting in. He beat all bar stablemate Broadsiding in a strong Group 1 Golden Rose a month ago. That form has been franked with Broadsiding running third in a Cox Plate last weekend. Traffic Warden trialled quite well last Friday in his first look of the Flemington straight. First Settler’s (6) Danehill Stakes win at this track was terrific. It’s not easy to make ground close to the inside down the straight, but he was able to lift late when under pressure and arrived in time to pip a smart stablemate. 1200m looks ideal. Growing Empire (1) looked home in a Group 1 Manikato before being nailed on the line. He then backed that up with a third in an Everest against the older horses. He’s a winner down the straight and is now back against his own age group. The Chris Waller stable has won five of the last 11 editions of this race and he’ll saddle up impressive last start winner Switzerland (5) and the race-fit Gatsby’s (8). The latter is a knockout hope at big odds. His last start 5th behind Switzerland was a very good effort considering he was a mile back in the run before letting rip in the straight.
Tips – 1. Traffic Warden (3), 2. First Settler (6), 3. Growing Empire (1), 4. Gatsby’s 8)
Race 7 (4:20pm) – Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500m
ANALYSIS: China Sea (11) closed well and was pipped on the post when stepping up to 2000m last start, recording the quickest last 400m of the race. He’s giving the impression that he will relish a step up to the daunting 2500m trip. King of Thunder (8) comes out of the Vase at The Valley last weekend, which is a key Derby lead-up race. The gelding was excellent that day, only just missing the winner on the line. He had to track wide and go a long way from home so the extra trip he sees here shouldn’t be an issue. Politely Dun (7) was another eye-catcher from the Vase. Red Aces won that race but enjoyed a perfect run in transit. War Ribbon (17) is an emergency so needs a scratching to make the field, but he must be included in the numbers if he gains a start. His most recent win was very impressive, and he clearly had a bit in the locker at the end of 2260m. El Castello (1) is flying this prep, winning all four starts including the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes last weekend but he has come up with a horror draw here. For that reason, I’m willing to risk him and look elsewhere.
Tips – 1. China Sea (11), 2. King of Thunder (8), 3. Politely Dun (7), 4. War Ribbon (17)
Race 8 (5pm) – Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – 1600m
ANALYSIS: She beat all bar superstar Pride of Jenni in this race last season, now Atishu (1) is aiming to go one better. Her best form is on dry tracks, so the good-rated Flemington track on Saturday will be right up her alley. 6th to Via Sistina at Flemington two starts back is strong form for this. This horse ticks so many boxes and champion jockey James McDonald sticks. Very hard to beat. Alsephina is a hard horse to fault. Whatever is thrown at her, she handles with aplomb. The WA mare has won or placed in her three Melbourne starts this prep, adding another Group 1 placing last start. Drawn well and has the in-form Blake Shinn on her back. Revolutionary Miss is another bombproof mare who has shown an affinity with Flemington, having won three of four starts here. Amelia’s Jewel set the world on fire early doors but hasn’t quite gone on after plenty of early raps. She’s back on the radar now after a tidy effort in a stronger race last start.
Tips – 1. Atishu (1), 2. Alsephina (7), 3. Revolutionary Miss (4), 4. Amelia’s Jewel (2).