Here it is. Christmas for punters.
A terrific day at Flemington for the first day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival.
The Victoria Derby is one of four Group 1 features alongside the Coolmore Stud Stakes, Empire Rose and the Kennedy Cantala.
We also take a look at the Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Check out the horses to consider and our tips below:
Victoria Derby
Group 1 - 2500m - Flemington
THE ONE TO BEAT
Gunstock - Was way too good in the G3 Norman Robinson (2000m) at Caulfield last time.
Trainer Mick Price won the Derby with Tarzino, also out of Tavistock, in 2015. Should get the trip. Wide draw the only knock.
THE TOP HOPES
Forgot You - Forgot You has had a wonderful preparation for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young.
He’s in great form having won three of his last four and is desperate for the 2500m trip.
Has drawn perfectly in barrier 8 and will be able to blend into the race when he and jockey Daniel Moor want.
Hitotsu - Ran on nicely when fifth in the Caulfield Guineas. Looks like he wants further so the step from a mile to 2500m may just suit.
Gets Cox Plate-winning jockey John Allen aboard.
Tutakaka - He couldn’t have been more impressive when winning the Geelong Classic last start and he was definitely doing his best work through the line.
Has drawn a bit sticky in barrier 12 but he does get the assistance of arguably the best jockey in the country in James McDonald.
THE VALUE
Alegron - Less than three lengths away from Profondo when third in the G1 Spring Champion in Sydney.
Trainer James Cummings has one Derby to his name. Brett Prebble to ride is a plus.
Jungle Magnate - This galloper is racing like he’s desperate for the 2500m trip.
Has form around Forgot You last start in the Moonee Valley Vase last start when finishing off strongly.
He will get an economical run in transit and is at peak fitness. Genuine each-way chance.
THE ROUGHIE
Cerberus - Could be a good roughie to add your exotics. Bred to run the trip and lead-up form has been promising.
Trainer Anthony Freedman won with Warning in 2019.
THE SELECTIONS
- Gunstock (4)
- Forgot You (1)
- Tutukaka (2)
- Alegron (3)
Coolmore
Group 1 - 1200m - Flemington
THE ONES TO BEAT
In The Congo - What a preparation this colt has had for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
Golden Rose winner that has form around Anamoe who since won the Caulfield Guineas and arguably should’ve won the Cox Plate.
Barrier 12 up the straight is ideal and Craig Williams is a great signing.
Extreme Warrior - Could not have been more impressive in trouncing his rivals, including Profiteer, in the G3 Blue Sapphire at Caulfield. The rest were way back.
Drawn nicely, has Jye McNeil on top and is rightly at the top of the market.
THE TOP HOPES
Paulele - A very talented colt for team Godolphin.
His last-start win in the Roman Consul at Randwick was super and his winning record (9:5-2-0) would tell you that he’s going to run a big race.
The Damien Oliver / James Cummings combination is a winning one and he looks a horse that will appreciate the straight course at Flemington.
Artorius - Drops in distance from the mile of the Caulfield Guineas to 1200m. Intriguing decision. Missed the kick there but flew home.
Has shown a fair bit as a sprinter, evidenced by the Blue Diamond win at this distance as a 2YO. His sire Flying Artie won this race in 2016.
THE VALUE
Home Affairs - Silver Slipper who returned in great order first-up this preparation, when winning the Heritage Stakes.
There’s no doubt he was out of his depth last start in The Everest, however he did only finish five lengths behind the best sprinter in the world, Nature Strip.
Drawn perfectly in barrier 13 and drops down in class significantly.
Kallos - Hard not to like his win down the straight in the G2 Danehill last time. Can he step up?
THE SELECTIONS
- Artorius (2)
- Extreme Warrior (9)
- Paulele (6)
- In The Congo (4)
Empire Rose
Group 1 - 1600m - Flemington
THE ONE TO BEAT
Tofane - The class galloper in the Empire Rose.
She’s been superb this preparation without winning and she gets her best chance on Saturday in mare’s grade.
Will get an absolute dream run from barrier two and will blend into the straight when she pleases.
Looks the winner.
THE TOP HOPES
Mystic Journey - Has finished well down the outside in both the G2 Let’s Elope and Rose Of Kingston, running out of room at 1400m.
Now at her pet distance of the mile. Can win if there’s enough speed up front to set it up.
Colette - She would’ve been licking her lips when the rain came on Thursday night, but did enough come?
She runs fairly on top of the ground but there’s no doubt she needs it to be soft/heavy to be winning a race like the Empire Rose.
With little rain predicted on Saturday, her chances decrease.
THE VALUE
Still A Star - Kept coming in the Rose Of Kingston to nail Pride Of Jenni.
Has been a model of consistency with two wins among four top three finishes since the All-Star Mile.
Flying Mascot - Going off her last start win in the Tesio Stakes, she seems massive overs at $10.
Has won four from nine and has drawn perfectly in seven.
Is she as good as Tofane? Probably not, but she is definitely an each-way chance.
THE ROUGHIE
Amarelinha - Has been thereabouts at G3 level in Sydney. Ready to fire third-up from a favourable draw with J-Mac on board.
THE SELECTIONS
- Tofane (3)
- Mystic Journey (2)
- Colette (1)
- Flying Mascot (13)
Cantala
Group 1 - 1600m - Flemington
THE ONE TO BEAT
Mr Brightside - Shooting for seven wins on the trot. The Hayes stable are going pretty well at the moment.
In with a light weight and can sit just behind the speed. This is easily his biggest test however.
THE TOP HOPES
Aramayo - Has been so consistent this preparation without winning.
He was so close in the G1 Epsom last start and is no doubt ready to peak here fourth-up.
Has raced at Flemington four times and has never run top three. That provides a big query despite his Sydney form.
Chaillot - Haven’t seen her for more than a month since her blistering win at Sandown.
Another with a light weight who loves Flemington. May just require some luck given her regular racing pattern, but if she gets it, she can explode over the top of them.
THE VALUE
Riodini - Arguably comes into the race with the best form lines.
Was so brave when runner-up to Verry Elleegant in the George Main two starts ago and then just went out too strong in the Epsom.
Has had a deep preparation and might be looking for the paddock.
Superstorm - The barrier (14) is far from ideal for this five-year-old.
Has been a little bit disappointing this preparation albeit winning the Group 2 Feehan Stakes three starts ago.
He ran well in the Toorak Handicap a fortnight ago and if he produces a similar run, he might go close. His record tells you he’ll run well without winning.
THE ROUGHIE
Quantum Mechanic - Ran well at a massive price up the inside behind I’m Thunderstruck when fourth in the G1 Toorak.
Crossed the line a half length behind Superstorm there and is double the price here. Look for her to be rattling home.
THE SELECTIONS
- Chaillot (11)
- Mr Brightside (14)
- Superstorm (3)
- Cascadian (2)
Golden Eagle
1500m - Rosehill
THE ONE TO BEAT
I'm Thunderstruck - Was outstanding in the G1 Toorak at Caulfield last time.
The most exciting horse in this race, is the rightful favourite and is a huge chance if Hugh Bowman can avoid trouble.
THE TOP HOPES
Apache Chase - A genuine winner for Desleigh Forster.
Jockey Jim Byrne has gone into quarantine for this run and you don’t blame him given how he’s returned this preparation.
He’ll be up on the pace and will take a lot of running down.
THE VALUE
Private Eye - This horse is a star for Joe Pride.
Last start winner of the Epsom however he does go up 5kg from that win and will head back from the wide barrier (17).
There’s no doubt he’ll be hitting the line hard, but there are a few things against him on Saturday.
Ellsberg - Looks the likely leader from a plumb draw. Super consistent galloper who has missed the quinella only three times in 11 starts.
If he can control the race from the front he’ll be tough to run down. Nice each-way odds.
THE ROUGIE
Maximal - Talented international that is having his first start in Australia for trainer John O’Shea.
He was a Listed placegetter at Newmarket last start and finished fourth in a Group 1 at Ascot two back, must respect.
THE SELECTIONS
- I'm Thunderstruck (2)
- Ellsberg (9)
- Private Eye (1)
- Maximal (13)
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