How good is the Australian Derby. Statement, not a question.
A few of my colleagues potted me when I claimed that it is a better race than the Vic Derby, but I personally love how open the field always is, as well as the number of kiwis that typically accept – it makes for a far better betting race.
The 2019 field has not disappointed and we’re faced with another wide-open Group 1 feature on Day 1 of The Championships. 2019 Australian Derby tips below.
The Murray Baker (and I guess Andrew Forsman)-trained Madison County has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his racing career and can record the third Group 1 win of his career in the Australian Derby. He was utterly dominant over a mile in his homeland during summer and is yet to turn in a bad performance. There was a lot to like about his run for second in the Group 2 Tulloch last weekend and he’s rock-hard fit for this. Obviously, the query lies with his ability at a mile and a half, but I think he’ll get it comfortably.
Chapada returned an impressive effort to finish third in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas a fortnight ago and he is a horse that will relish getting out to a mile and a half. The son of Bullet Train ended his 2018 prep third in the Vic Derby and has continued to improve with racing this time. He was probably unlucky not to finish even closer last time out given he had no early passage, and he’s a horse that clearly races well on a rain-affected track. If the early money is anything to go by, he’s the one to beat.
Frankely Awesome produced a career-best performance to finish second behind Verry Elleegant in the Group 1 Vinery last weekend and looms as the sole filly in the Australian Derby field. The daughter of Frankel took a couple of starts to find her best form this time but her two most-recent efforts, both of heavy, have been huge. The wide barrier isn’t too much of a concern as she’ll settle back in the field anyway and with even luck, she’ll be tough to hold out.
Declarationofheart has been finishing off his races extremely well this time and the rise in trip that he gets in the Australian Derby could be all that he needs. The Declaration Of War gelding has had four starts for three second-placings this time and I like that he’s been kept up to the mark with a trial here at Randwick since his most-recent run in the Group 2 Alister Clarke. Mark Zahra has plenty of options from the rails draw and it would not be surprising to see the horse fighting out the finish.