The first of the bumper four-day Flemington Spring carnival is Derby Day.
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.
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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 1.
WHERE IS IT?
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
WHERE TO WATCH
All the action can be seen live on Channel 7, Racing.com, Kayo Sports and Sky Racing.
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 Kirin Ichiban Sprint – 1100m
GROUP 1 RACE PREVIEWS
Race 6 (3:40pm): Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m
ANALYSIS: A field of nine colts, two geldings and one filly are set to jump from the Flemington 1200m start and race down the famous straight. It has a reputation as a stallion-making race, meaning a colt’s value will skyrocket with a win or increase with a top four finish. I’m with one of the colts in Beadman (10). Trained by Peter Snowden and to be ridden by Blake Shinn, these two have combined to win some big races together. This colt tackles this race third up after two placings (3rd, 2nd respectively) in Sydney, the latter race he was unlucky not to win as he couldn’t get clear until it was too late. It’s worth noting that he won by eight lengths when third up last preparation. He sizzled down the Flemington straight in a recent trial, handling the new surroundings with aplomb. Beiwacht (1) finished well behind in that same trial but he just galloped through the line under his own steam and had much more to give. He thrashed a classy field in the Group 1 Golden Rose a month ago, with that performance the reason why he’s considered the top seed of the three-year-olds. Skyglider (11) is a relative newcomer on the scene as he only stepped out for his first run this campaign last week, winning a stakes race in Sydney. The form around his debut run back in July has since stood up as well. The straight should suit a horse like Raging Force (7). He’ll be able to roll along out in front and give you a run for his money although the last 50m will test him.
Selections – 10. Beadman, 1. Beiwacht, 11. Skyglider, 7. Raging Force
Race 7 (4:20pm): Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500 metres
ANALYSIS: There’s a red-hot favourite in this in the form of Observer(1) after his impressive win on Cox Plate Day. While I concede he’s the one to beat, the short odds means there is plenty of value around a number of his rivals. One of those is the Chris Waller-trained Savisanta (14). His run in the Geelong Classic last start was excellent after being slightly held up. He attacked the line at the end of 2200m, and off that, there’s no doubt he’ll be able to handle the 2500m distance of the Derby. He profiles similarly to Waller’s 2014 VRC Derby winner Preferment. From a good draw, he’ll enjoy an economical run in transit which is crucial in these long distance affairs. The Moonee Valley Vase – which was run last weekend – is a key lead up race to the Derby. Several horses come out of that, including winner Observer, who would have won by several lengths had he not been eased down by his jockey. Providence (6) rocketed to the line after settling last in the field of nine, finishing half a length off Observer. Options (5) ran well without a heap of luck in that same race. Prior to that, he won another key lead up race at Flemington so he has runs on the board at this track, unlike a few of his main rivals.
Selections – 14. Savasinta, 1. Observer, 6. Providence, 5. Options
Race 8 (5pm) – Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – 1600 metres
ANALYSIS: Fangirl (2) is an outstanding horse who was arguably the country’s best mare until UK import Via Sistina burst onto the scene in Australia. The four-time Group 1 winner will be hoping there’s no rain before Saturday as she thrives on dry tracks. She can sometimes end up too far back in her races and with the classy Pride of Jenni (1) to set a solid tempo out in front, Fangirl can’t afford to be a mile back on the turn. From a decent barrier, I don’t think she will be and given she has been contesting much stronger races than this in Sydney against the boys, she looks well placed in this against her own sex. It was a horror watch if you were on Damask Rose (4) in the Toorak. She had no luck whatsoever in the straight when it looked as if she was travelling sweetly. She’s going much better than the form guide suggests and is worth a small saver each way at big odds. Leica Lucy (6) also comes out of the Toorak where she was strong to the line into 3rd.
Selections – 2. Fangirl, 4. Damask Rose, 1. Pride of Jenni, 6. Leica Lucy
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