The Punter’s Prince is back for a massive weekend of Group 1 racing headlined by the Victoria Derby.
Here is the runner-by-runner guide and the main selections for the feature event from Flemington this Saturday.
#1 Forgot You
Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
Massive win in The Vase at Moonee Valley last start when he chased down a brutal speed and nabbed his stablemate on the line.
Showed the makings of a stayer in that race as he kept grinding away to the finish line.
He is going to get a beautiful midfield run from barrier eight and he has the entire Flemington straight to unleash his strong late sectionals.
Daniel Moor knows this horse inside and out, and is riding in supreme confidence, which gives us even more confidence that this horse is the one to beat.
Odds: $4 the win and $1.80 the place.
Finishing position: First
#2 Tutukaka
A W Pike
The winner of the Geelong Classic which is often a strong form-line for the Victoria Derby.
He had been building towards a big run and finally got his first victory on the board in Victoria last start since coming down from Queensland.
Barrier 12 will likely see him adopt conservative tactics, but the booking of James McDonald is a big tick.
Odds: $8.5 the win and $2.50 the place.
Finishing position: Fourth
#3 alegron
james cummings
Comes out of the Spring Champion after running well behind freak stayer Profondo.
Gets the man of the moment in Victoria in the form of Brett Prebble who could ride a rocking horse to victory.
Only query here is is the gap between runs.
Odds: $9 the win and $3 the place.
Finishing position: Third
#4 gunstock
mick price & michael kent jnr.
Blinkers went on last start and he charged to the line when winning the Caulfield Classic.
Barrier 19 has probably ruined his chance at winning this race.
He will stay all day, but will likely be too far back to chase down the likes of Forgot You and Alegron.
Odds: $4.8 the win and $1.85 the place.
Finishing position: Sixth
#5 akihiro
gary portelli
James McDonald hopping off this horse is probably the guide we need to know he will not be winning this race.
That said, his effort last start suggests he can run in the top half of the field.
However, he has no where near the staying capability to beat Forgot You as was evident at Moonee Valley despite enjoying a better run.
Odds: $35 the win and $9 the place.
Finishing position: Ninth
#6 character
james cummings
Went toe-to-toe with Tutukaka in the Geelong Classic but struggled to go with him late in the race.
You can never knock these connections too much, however, he does look slightly out of his depth here and would need to find another four to five lengths to be a place hope.
Odds: $12 the win and $3.3 the place
Finishing position: Seventh
#7 jungle magnate
mick price & michael kent jnr.
The barrier could very well win him the race if produces a similar run to what he did last start.
He is going to be much closer to the leaders and the Flemington straight will give him to wind up.
A great chance at massive odds and could be the each-way play in the race.
Have him in for second based off what he did at Moonee Valley combined with a soft run from gate five.
Odds: $18 the win and $4.8 the place
Finishing position: Second
#8 commander harry
trent busuttin & natalie young
Surprised the market big time after nearly holding off his more talented stablemate Forgot You at $101.
Barrier 15 plus Linda Meech means he is likely to roll towards the lead, but not sure if that is the ideal place to be.
Will have to work hard from the barrier and will vulnerable heading into the home straight.
Odds: $26 the win and $7 the place.
Finishing position: Eleventh
#9 hitotsu
ciaron maher & dave eustace
The huge naught on the roueltte wheel.
Huge jockey change with John Allen hopping aboard and barrier seven represents the chance to play the stalking role behind the leaders.
The market is keeping him very safe.
His talent has him in the top five, but it is the lack of fitness at a staying level that keeps him out of the placings.
Odds: $7.5 the win and $2.50 the place
Finishing position: Fifth
#10 cerberus
anthony & sam freedman
Finds himself jumping from the widest barrier.
Little hope.
Odds: $34 the win and $9 the place
Finishing position: Twelfth
#11 gundec
symon wilde
Won the Derby trial at Flemington and was then outshone in the Caulfield Classic.
Could produce a surprise run getting back on top of the ground but prefer the others who beat him last start.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Tenth
#12 clyde
gary portelli
If a Scone BM-58 over 2200 metres is good enough to win a Derby, then we may as well give up.
Would need a miracle to win this.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Thirteenth
#13 el rocko
john mcardle
Is yet to win a race in his career and will remain that way after this.
Wide barrier, non-winner, no thanks.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Fourteenth
#14 raging bull
david payne
Bit of an ask to win a Derby in your first preparation.
Was well beaten in the Spring Champion and will be well beaten here.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: FIfteenth
#15 cheerful moment
lindsey smith
Was over 10 lengths away from Forgot You in the Vase at Moonee Valley and that gap will likely be further this time.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Last
#16 teewaters
archie alexander
The run at Caulfield last start was respectable when he finished third behind Gunstock.
Seemed to handle the soft conditions well in a sign that he is tracking well towards this Group 1.
Have other ahead of him, but being drawn a few off the fence should see him build up his momentum better than a fortnight ago.
Odds: $41 the win and $7 the place
Finishing position: Eighth
