Some of the country’s best three-year-olds will step out in Saturday’s 2018 Australian Derby (2400m); one of four Group 1 feature races on Day 1 of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
The Australian Derby is set to be one of the most open races on Day 1 of The Championships from a betting perspective and at the time of publish, talented colt Ace High is the $5 favourite.
Ace High experienced a meteoric rise to prominence throughout his spring campaign and was virtually unbeatable when rock-hard fit; posting consecutive wins in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m), Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m).
The son of High Chaparral savaged the line for a credible fifth in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) first-up this time, before running well for fifth and fourth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) and Group 1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) respectively.
Having been caught three-wide from a wide draw in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) before finishing sixth a fortnight ago, Ace High will find a far-better position from barrier 2 and will be tough to beat over the mile and a half of the Australian Derby.
Furore ($7) was promoted to third in the Rosehill Guineas a fortnight ago and looks like a horse that will run out a strong mile-and-a-half.
Furore has only made five appearances at the races, but he has been outstanding so far and would not look out of place in the Australian Derby winner’s stall.
The son of Pierro easily won each of his first four competitive starts, before his successful transition to black type company last time out. Brenton Avdulla retains the ride on the gelding and should be able to find a good position behind the pace from a central draw.
One horse that looks to be over the odds in early Australian Derby betting is kiwi raider Vin De Dance, who remains firm on the third line at a $9 quote.
The Roc De Cambes gelding steadily built to the task upon resuming this time, but began to find peak condition third-up when he ran on well for third in the Group 2 Avondale Guineas (2100m).
Having found an ideal position in transit in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) on February 17th, Vin De Dance mustered an impressive turn of foot to score a short-head win over fellow Australian Derby acceptor Mongolianconqueror.
The horse was second past the post in the Rosehill Guineas a fortnight ago, but was demoted out of the places after jockey Jason Waddell was judged to have used his whip too many times in the straight.
He’ll undoubtedly be better over a mile-and-a-half and could enjoy the run of the race from barrier 4.
Belfast has continued to receive the lion’s share of early support in Australian Derby betting and is the $8.50 market mover at the time of publish.
The Teofilo colt will be stepping out for the seventh time this preparation in the Australian Derby, but has continued to improve recently – finishing fourth in the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) and third in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) before running fifth in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) last weekend.
Take advantage of the best odds and bonuses on the 2018 Australian Derby right here at Neds!