Race favourite Observer leads all of the way to win the 2025 Victoria Derby.
He was considered the best horse in the race and in form jockey Mark Zahra took luck out of the equation by taking his horse to the front.
That is Zahra’s fourth winner of the day and second Group 1. He’s the third jockey to ride four winners on Derby Day.
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Starting $2.45 with bookies, Observer won by a length ahead of Arcora, Deel Done Fast and Ons Step Closer.
Asked about his stunning Derby Day by Channel 9’s Billy Slater on horseback, Zahra labelled it as “unbelievable”.
“What a day,” Zahra said.
“He’s always on the bridle, but he’s he’s tough. He was tough and strong. Like when one got to him, he sort of found again. It was a very good victory.”
It’s been a bloodbath for the bookies, with favourites winning four of seven races.
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SPRINTING STAR EMERGES
The Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris exploded through the field and away from his rivals to easily win the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Jockey Mark Zahra is having an excellent day. He’s ridden three winners and is on the favourite Observer in the Derby.
Co-trainer Anthony Freedman isn’t a man of many words but he couldn’t hide how he impressed he was with the victory.
Freedman said the colt may back up in next weekend’s Champions Sprint on Champions Day.
“He’s very good. I think that was dominant,” he said.
“He may run next Saturday. He’s a tough colt.”
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is considered a stallion-making race, meaning Tentyris’ value has skyrocketed after that win.
“That horse is worth about $30 million more,” Eddie Maguire said on Channel 9.
OAKS FAVOURITE EMERGES
Thursday’s VRC Oaks has a new favourite after Getta Good Feeling’s arrogant win in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day.
Trainer Danny O’Brien has a terrific recent record in the Oaks and he is set to saddle up another excellent chance.
The Wakeful is a key lead up race for the Oaks and after winning by 1.25 lengths, the filly’s price for the three-year-old feature on Thursday was slashed into $2.
Strictly Business flashed home for 2nd, and the market also reacted to that, with the Tom Carberry-trained filly rated a $5 chance for the Oaks.
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RACEDAY PREVIEW
The famous four-day Flemington Spring Carnival kicks off today with Derby Day – a showcase for the purists – while Sydney hosts the $10 million Golden Eagle.
Nine races will be run and won at Flemington with three Group 1’s, including the Victoria Derby for the three-year-old stayers.
Also on the card is the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) for the fillies and mares and the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) down the famous Flemington straight.
At Randwick racecourse in Sydney’s east, one of the superstars of the Australian turf will step out and put her unbeaten record on the line in the Golden Eagle.
A field of 16 will contest the seventh edition of the $10 million race for four-year-old horses.
Autumn Glow has won all seven starts, with two Group 1’s already on the CV. She’s all the rage in today’s feature, currently a $2 favourite.
When the action in Melbourne and Sydney is finished, the all-important barrier draw for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup will take place at Flemington.
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