WATC Derby – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 10 runners for the $400,000 WATC Derby with five geldings and five fillies. All five of the fillies had their last start in the Group 3 WA Oaks, four of the boys had their last start in the Listed Melvista Stakes, while the other started in an 1800m  race at Ascot. The odds-on favourite is Western Empire who has won three Listed races in a row including the Melvista Stakes. Second favourite is Outback Jack who finished 2nd in the Melvista. Third favourite is Temptacion who finished 3rd n the WA Oaks.

Brave Angel came 4th in the WA Oaks, while Lunar Impact was the winner. Reliable Star finished 8th in the WA Oaks but had won or placed at all eight of her starts before then. Holyoake ran 5th.The other three runners are currently 40 to 1 or longer.

1. Western Empire

He has four wins and four places from nine starts and has won his last three races in a row. He won the Listed Lex Piper Stakes by 5.4 lengths on 27 February, the Listed J.C. Roberts Stakes by 2.98 lengths on 13 March and the Listed Melvista Stakes by 0.1 lengths on 27 March. Only bad luck can beat him.

2. Outback Jack

This Outreach gelding has three wins and four places from eight starts. He ran 2nd in an 1800m Class 3 at Ascot before fighting hard for 0.71 length 2nd in the Melvista Stakes.

3. Kerman Rock

The only runner in the field who has not raced at Group or Listed level. He has been to Ascot five times before without finishing in the first three. Looks tested.

4. Flash Ducati

Ran 2nd in the Lex Piper, 5th in the JC Roberts and 4th in the Melvista. Will struggle here.

5. Fear The Wind

He has had six starts and the best he has done is to run 5th. Shouldn’t trouble these.

6. Lunar Impact

Last start she went from being a maiden to winning a Group 3 race when she won the WA Oaks. She is bred to stay and maybe she had to wait for a win until she got out to this distance. Can feature in the finish again.

7. Brave Angel

She won the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas in February before 4th in the Listed Natasha Stakes and 1.34 lengths 4th in the WA Oaks. Could get into the placings.

8. Temptacion

This All Too Hard filly has three wins and three places from seven starts. She won a 1500m race then an 1800m race before peaking late for 0.26, 0.44 lengths 3rd in the WA Oaks. Will be fitter now and is one of the chances.

9. Reliable Star

Faded for 8.27 lengths 8th in the WA Oaks. Is aiming too high.

10. Holyoaks

She has two wins – one over 1400m and one over 1600m. Finished 5th in the WA Oaks and could struggle here.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Western Empire
6 Lunar Impact
2 Outback Jack
8 Temptacion

Group 1 Doncaster Mile 2021 (Randwick 1600m)

Group 1 T J Smith Stakes 2021 (Randwick 1200m)

Group 1 ATC Australian Derby 2021 (Randwick 2400m)

Group 1 ATC Sires Produce 2021 (Randwick 1400m)

Listed Galilee Series Final 2021 (Caulfield 2400)

Listed Dequetteville Stakes 2021 (Morphettville 1050m)

Listed Port Adelaide Guineas 2021 (Morphettville 1800m)