Victoria Derby – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

There is a full field of sixteen runners for the $2,000,000 Victoria Derby.  Four back up from last weeks Moonee Valley Vase, six come via the Norman Robinson and two ran in the Geelong Classic.

The Chris Waller trained Riff Rocket is a dominant early favourite.  He blew them away here in the Super Impose two starts ago and has drawn a lovely gate with Australia’s premier rider James McDonald to do the steering.  Next in the betting is Apulia.  He was a good winner of the Moonee Valley Vase last week.  Verdad is talented and the only horse in the race that ran in the Caulfield Guineas while Gates has been backed at a price early.

1. Apulia

Is on the quick back up for the second consecutive week.  Won the Vase in good style last week and has Mark Zahra who is airborne.

2. Verdad

Talented horse who has run well at all four career starts.  May have gone a little bit quick in the Vase last week. Suspect they look for cover here.  Think the class is there but can he stay?

3. Air Assualt

Was well backed last week in the Vase coming off a strong win in Adelaide and I thought he stuck on well for third after racing outside a warm tempo. Would not be surprised to see him run top three here.

4. Riff Rocket

Current even money favourite.  Absolutely bolted in here in fast time two starts ago like a very promising horse.  Then started deep odds on at Caulfield where he was a narrow second but had genuine excuses with a very slow pace.  Could explode coming back to Flemington.  He’s the one to beat.

5. Sunsets

Caused a big upset at Caulfield last start when kicking strongly to hold off Riff Rocket narrowly.  Will need a good ride from barrier 16 but has the right man in the saddle for it.  John Allen won this race in these colours on Hitotsu two years ago.

6. Make A Call

Is a fifteen start maiden.  Hard to see him winning here.

7. Gold Bullion

Started single figures in the Norman Robinson last start and didn’t fire.  Jury is out with him.

8. Gates

Was one of the better runs in the Norman Robinson beating home Apulia who is second favourite here.  Some hope.

9. Kosgei

Was third in the Geelong Classic.  That doesn’t look like the right form but does get Shinn.

10. Bulawayo

Beaten 6.5 lengths in the Vase last week.  Can’t recommend.

11. Sacred Eagle

Another through the Geelong Classic.  The blinkers go on but he doesn’t appear good enough.

12. Roguery

Bolted in in a Tatura maiden two back, then did a good job to beat the older horses in a 64 at Kilmore last start.  Wouldn’t shock if he did something at a big price.

13. Mercante

Was second in a 64 at Ballarat last start on his home track.  Looking elsewhere.

14. To Be Frank

Was never a factor in the Norman Robinson last start.  Hard to see him winning off that despite a strong trainer / jockey combo.

15. Warialda Warrior

Class 1 winner at Scone last time out.  This is a lot harder.

16. Tokyo Run

He started $70s in the Norman Robinson and was soundly beaten.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Riff Rocket	4 Riff Rocket
3 Air Assault	5 Sunsets
8 Gates	1 Apulia
1 Apulia	7 Gold Bullion

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4 Riff Rocket
2nd	1 Apulia	0.1 length
3rd	5 Sunsets	1.1 lengths
4th	9 Kosgei	3.35 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.