The curtain rises on the Melbourne Cup Carnival with one of the most anticipated race days of the year, Victoria Derby Day at Flemington.
Known for its elite racing, timeless tradition, and unmistakable sense of occasion, Derby Day sets the tone for a week where champions are made and legends remembered.
Saturday’s program is a pure feast for racing purists with three Group 1s, headlined by the time-honoured Victoria Derby (2500m) for the three-year-olds.
The undercard is equally stacked, with the Coolmore Stud Stakes showcasing Australia’s best sprinting youngsters and the Empire Rose Stakes highlighting the top fillies and mares.
Rain is forecast on Friday before a clearing day on Saturday, so we should see a track presented that has a bit of give in it.
The black type is flowing, and opportunity is knocking so let’s find a few winners to kick off Cup Week in style!
REGAL REWARD (5) has been racing in great form and is unlucky not to be attempting to win his fourth race in a row.
The Phillip Stokes-trained son of Ole Kirk broke through for his maiden win three starts ago before being held up badly over 1400m on the Hillside track when finishing 1.81 lengths fourth.
He returned to the winner’s circle in a big way last start at Caulfield when stepping up to this distance for the first time.
Lachie Neindorf allowed his mount to roll to the front before bursting clear in the straight to smoke his rivals by 7.5 lengths in good time.
He’s rock hard fit and maps to get a great run in the first on Derby Day.
| 5. Regal Award (2) J: Lachlan Neindorf 57kg x5141T: Phillip Stokes |
SHEZA ALIBI (4) resumed in good order in the Listed Gothic Stakes last start when stepping out for the first time for the Moody & Coleman stable.
The Saxon Warrior filly enjoyed a nice run to finish third by 2.04 lengths to Coolmore Stud Stakes second favourite, Tentyris.
She’ll strip fitter second-up and will enjoy the rise to 1400m in The Vanity 2025 field as she did last preparation when finishing 1.91 lengths second to subsequent Group 1 winner Autumn Boy in the Listed Tattersall’s Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Luke Nolen takes the ride and will be able to stalk what looks like a decent speed.
| 4. Sheza Alibi (2) J: Luke Nolen 57kg 112×3T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
CABALLUS (5) went off the rails for a time there but has certainly returned to his very best.
The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding had just the one start last preparation where he found the line well to win the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone.
He was spelled after that and returned recently in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes, storming home from a long way back to finish 1.11 lengths fifth to Rothfire.
He’ll strip fitter and has won two of three starts when second-up including once at Group 3 level.
The one and only time he raced over this course and distance, he gave a good account of himself to finish 1.75 lengths third in the Inglis Sprint.
| 5. Caballus (6) J: Tommy Berry 57kg 7x1x5T: Bjorn Baker |
GETTA GOOD FEELING (1) is extremely well weighted under the conditions of the race and looks hard to beat in this year’s Wakeful Stakes.
The Danny O’Brien-trained filly fought bravely last start in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas to finish 1.1 lengths third.
She was ultra-impressive the start prior when despite being in a world of hurt boxed away, she miraculously found a gap and shot through it like she was fired out of a cannon to win the Group 3 Edward Manifold Stakes by a nose.
The rise to 2000m looks ideal now and she should enjoy a nice run for Mark Zahra.
| 1. Getta Good Feeling (6) J: Mark Zahra 57kg x3213T: Danny O’Brien |
ZOU SENSATION (4) is racing in a purple patch of form with four wins from his past six starts.
The Corstens & Larkin-trained gelding was last seen leading all the way over 1400m at Caulfield to win the Listed Weekend Hussler by a length.
He’s no stranger to Flemington, having had seven races here and won his only previous race over this course and distance just four starts ago.
Ben Allen has a good association with the horse and will give him every chance with an on-pace ride from the good barrier in The Damien Oliver field.
| 4. Zou Sensation (4) J: Ben Allen 57.5kg 11461T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
TENTYRIS (3) returned in good order after suffering a stress fracture to finish 1.56 lengths third in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes two starts ago.
The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained colt produced an outstanding effort last start in the Listed Gothic Stakes where he looked beaten, only to produce his trademark barnstorming finish to weave his way through to win by a neck.
It looked like there was more to come, and he’ll strip fitter third-up.
There’s an abundance of speed engaged in the race which will aid his cause and should see him charging home over the top of them in the opening Group 1 on the Derby Day race card.
| 3. Tentyris (5) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 21×31T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
AUTUMN MYSTERY (3) would be a hell of a story if he was to win the Group 1 Victoria Derby for trainer Rory Hunter.
The Autumn Sun gelding had placed in four of his first seven starts before breaking through for his first win in the Victoria Derby Preview two starts ago.
He was excellent when claiming back-to-back wins last start in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic after being held up badly and only getting clear with a furlong to go.
He’ll settle back in the field, so the wide barrier isn’t a major concern, and with his strong stamina, the 2500m distance won’t be an issue.
Blake Shinn doing the piloting adds to this guy being an excellent each way chance.
| 3. Autumn Mystery (15) J: Blake Shinn 57kg 52211T: Rory Hunter |
LEICA LUCY (6) looks ready to break through following two strong runs to start this preparation.
The Chris Waller-trained four-year-old found the line powerfully first-up in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes to finish just under a length fourth before finishing 1.4 lengths third to Transatlantic in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap.
The New Zealand Group 1 winning mare won her only previous third-up race which was over this distance in the Group 3 Eulogy Stakes at Trentham.
She wanted to lay in her past two starts, so a near side blinker has been applied for the first time.
Mark Zahra may settle closer given she finally draws a decent barrier.
| 6. Leica Lucy (3) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 14×43T: Chris Waller |
SOFT LOVE (13) returned in magnificent order last start in the Listed Alinghi Stakes.
The Matt Laurie-trained mare settled at the tail of the field before storming home through the pack to finish a neck second to Stretan Angel.
She’ll have come on since that run and won her only previous second-up race.
She was unlucky not to win her only previous race over this course and distance in June when savaging the line to miss by a whisker.
Unlike last start, the speed will be quicker and more to her liking.
| 13. Soft Love (4) J: Harry Coffey 55kg 725×2T: Matt Laurie |