2012 WATC Derby

The WATC Derby is a 2400 metre race for three-year-olds at set weights run by the Western Australia Turf Club. The race is held at Ascot racecourse during the Perth Autumn Carnival in April.

Race Type: Group 2, 3YO Set Weights
Distance: 2400 metres
Track: Ascot Racecourse, Perth, Western Australia
Date: Saturday 14 April 2012

WATC Derby Odds
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The WATC Derby is Perth’s leading staying race for three-year-olds. It was first held as a 12 furlong principal race in 1888 when it was won by Harridan, and it became a Group 1 race in 1979. In 2011 it was worth $500,000 and after that running it was downgraded to a Group 2 race so that the Winterbottom Stakes could become a Group 1. This meant that Perth maintained three Group 1 races each year. The WATC Derby is the major race held in Perth in the autumn.

In recent years the Melvista Stakes over 2200 metre has been the main lead-up race for the WATC Derby and it is not uncommon for horses to win the Melvista Stakes – WATC Derby double. Fillies often use the Group 3 WA Oaks over 2400 metres as their lead-up. The WATC Derby weights are 56kg for colts and geldings and 54kg for fillies

Because the WATC Derby coincides with the end of the Sydney Autumn Carnival it attracts the best local three-year-olds but few interstate raiders. Some interstate horses will make the trip in search of a Group level victory such as Chartreaux (2010) who won a 2500 metre race at Flemington before winning the WATC Derby and travelled from Victoria. Because of this the WATC Derby tends to be won by above average horses rather than true elite types, which is the major reason it lost Group 1 status.

WATC Derby Final Field & Odds 2012

WATC Derby Preview & Tips 2012

Track: Good    Weather: Fine

Fourteen runners will contest the $400,000 Schweppes W.A.T.C. Derby including three fillies and one Victorian raider. The early betting market is wide open with Pop Culture, Lethal Jones and Rohan all vying for favouritism. Pop Culture won the G3 WA Oaks last outing on 31 March while Lethal Jones won the Listed Melvista Stakes and Rohan ran 3rd. Victorian horse Flashy Fella won a 2000 metre race at Caulfield on 24 March after running 2nd in the G2 Autumn Classic the start before, and looks a stayer in the making.

The Social Network ran 2nd in the WA Oaks and has to be rated a chance. Flag Officer has 3 wins and 6 placings from 11 starts while Reign Of Terror put in a top performance to run 2nd in the Melvista Stakes and has drawn the inside barrier. Rock Band ran a solid 6th in the Melvista and Elite Belle ran 3rd in the WA Oaks.

The following are the top 4 selections from our tipster panel for this years race.

Previous winners of the WATC Derby:

Winners may go on to win the Group 2 Perth Cup over 3200 metres in later years. 2006 WATC Derby winner Cats Fun won the Perth Cup in 2008, and Guyno (2007) won the Perth Cup in 2009.