G1 Victoria Derby - the historic Classic
Victoria's oldest Classic, a race that predates the G1 Melbourne Cup by six years, the G1 Victoria Derby has provided a number of big wins and several memorable moments.
Such as Fireworks (who would go on to sire the 1875 winner Robin Hood) winning the race on two occasions; how you ask? He won on the traditional date and for a short time the VRC decided to run the race on New Year's Day so he returned to Flemington and claimed the unique double.
Martini Henry (NZ) managed to win the race at debut, returning to the track three days later to win the Cup at his second outing. Imagine that now!
The legendary Phar Lap (NZ) won in 1929, creating a backlash that saw geldings prevented from running until the 1950s. Another great in Tulloch (NZ) also has this race on his impressive record as do the likes of Manfred, Tobin Bronze and Dulcify (NZ) (Decies {GB}).
The legendary Phar Lap (NZ) won the Victoria Derby in 1929 | Image courtesy of Melbourne Museum
It's sad to look back at last year's race, when Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) looked to have the racing world at his feet, going on to further big-race success in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and the G1 ATC Derby only to be tragically claimed by colic in September.
His trainer Chris Waller is without a runner this year but his rider James McDonald is a chance to make it two in a row with King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci) finding the line well in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase last weekend.
That race's winner Red Aces (Dundeel {NZ}) should again prove hard to beat and it is interesting to note that both horses are members of the in-form High Chaparral (Ire) sire line also represented here by the G1 Spring Champion S. winner El Castello (Castelvecchio), the G3 Norman Robinson S. winner Kingofwallstreet (Dundeel {NZ}) and Politely Dun (Dundeel {NZ}) whose sectionals when running fourth in the Vase were good.
El Castello has a nice pedigree link to Derby history; his dam being a half-sister to the 2012 winner Fiveandahalfstar (Hotel Grand) who was also trained (as well as being bred by) Anthony Cummings.
El Castello, the current favourite for the G1 Victoria Derby at Flemington | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
The last jockey to claim consecutive runnings of the Derby was Hugh Bowman; Lion Tamer (NZ) (Storming Home {GB}) and Sangster (NZ) (Savabeel) in 2010 and 2011 and he teams up with the latter's trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young aboard the Norman Robinson runner-up Keeneland (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}).
American Pharoah (USA) is going for two in a row, this time around represented by the last start Listed Hill Smith S. winner Goldrush Guru whose grandam is a half-sister to the 1998 G1 AJC Derby winner Gold Guru who ran fifth behind Second Coming (NZ) (Oak Ridge {Fr}) in this race in 1997.
Meanwhile Fastnet Rock, Fiorente (Ire) and Too Darn Hot (GB) have multiple runners each.
G1 Coolmore Stud S. - the classy colts and fillies clash
A race first contested as the Ascot Vale S. in 1863, this 3-year-old dash down the famed Flemington straight has made the transition from a Group 2 (from 1979 to 2005) contest run in September to the big stallion-making event it is now considered to be.
First run as a Group 1 contest in 2006, it has since that time it has been won by 18 horses and what an impressive record they boast; eight of those going onto further Group 1 success and all ten of the colts who have won it (just two geldings successful in that time) have ended up standing at stud; last year's winner Ozzmosis currently serving his first book of mares at Newgate.
Five fillies have successfully taken on the colts in that time frame with the 2018 winner Sunlight making it four generations of success; her sire Zoustar winning in 2013, her grandsire Northern Meteor in 2008 and her great-grandsire Encosta De Lago in 1996 (as the Ascot Vale).
Growing Empire, the current favourite for the G1 Coolmore Stud S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Sunlight was part of an all-Zoustar finish with Zousain second, Lean Mean Machine third. And her sire was again to the fore 12 months ago with Ozzmosis whilst this year he is nicely represented by the favourite Growing Empire.
Other successful entires to have won this race (as the Coolmore and as the Ascot Vale) include Heroic, Vain, Century and Kaapstad (NZ) and there is plenty of interest from a futures perspective on Saturday.
Coleman (Pierata), Traffic Warden (Street Boss {USA}), Switzerland (Snitzel) and First Settler (Written Tycoon) are amongst the well-fancied, well-related colts striving for Group 1 recognition.
The female representation is also strong with the G1 Golden Slipper S. heroine Lady Camelot (Written Tycoon) taking her place on the back of a G1 The Everest fourth whilst Bellatrix Star is a nice chance for her sire Star Witness who won this race in 2010.
G1 Empire Rose S. - marvellous mares
A race which always brings up memories of the grand (and large!) chestnut that was the 1988 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Empire Rose (NZ) (Sir Tristram {Ire}), this 1600-metre contest for the country's best miler mares was the start of something last year; the first big win recorded by Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai).
Now considered one of the country's premier mares' races, it kicked off as a Listed race in 1988, it was elevated to Group 3 status for a couple of years in 1995, then run as a Group 2 for seven years before 1994 saw Miss Potential (Dolphin Street {Fr}) win its first edition as a Group 1.
Empire Rose (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Testament to the race's quality is the fact that it has on 12 occasions been won by mares who either previously had or subsequently did, win further Group 1 races whilst eight of its winners have gone on to produce stakes winners.
Atishu (NZ) (Savabeel) was a fast-finishing second in this race last year and good to the line when third in the G1 Might And Power S. She comes back in distance, but she has performed well doing that in the past and her record at the mile reads well; three wins, all in stakes company including last year's G1 Queen Of The Turf S.
And she has won three times at Flemington, including last year's G1 Champions S. She is favourite to add another big race at Headquarters to her tally whilst also being well-respected is Amelia's Jewel (Siyouni {Fr}) who strips hard fit for her last three solid performances in Sydney.
Also already winners at Group 1 level are Orchestral (NZ) (Savabeel) who didn't have much luck in the G1 Toorak H., Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) who in grand Cummings family style tradition is using a Derby Day race as a step up to Tuesday's Melbourne Cup and Socks Nation (Sioux Nation {USA}) who is having just her second run since claiming the G1 Queensland Oaks at big odds.
Atishu (NZ), the current favourite for the G1 Empire Rose S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
They are not the only chances in a wide and interesting race, other major chances including the consistent gallopers Revolutionary Miss (Russian Revolution), Kimochi (Brave Smash {Jpn}), Alsephina (Star Turn) and See You In Heaven (Divine Prophet).
And there are four last-start stakes winners here; the G3 Angst S. winner Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), the G3 Ladies Day Vase winner Grinzinger Belle (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}), the G2 Tristarc S. winner Lady In Pink (Pariah) and last Saturday's G2 Crystal Mile winner Plenty Of Ammo whose sire Rebel Raider won the Victoria Derby in 2008.
New to Derby Day - the G3 Vanity S.
The sprinting fillies and the G1 Victoria Oaks fillies are both catered for on Saturday with the first of the two features for that age and gender being the G3 Vanity S., the second race on the exciting card.
The G1 Empire Rose S. contestant Grinzinger Belle took out the latest running of this race which was in February, the Vanity traditionally part of the summer racing season.
It remains at 1400 metres and is a contest which also has on its honour roll the Group 1 winners Universal Queen (NZ) (Scenic {Ire}), Southern Speed (Southern Image {USA}), Saleous (Salieri {USA}), Amphitrite (Sebring) and Kenedna (Not A Single Doubt).
Zeitung, the current favourite for the G3 Vanity S. at Flemington | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
As well as the classy stakes-producing broodmares Dextrous (Quest For Fame {GB}), Ballet Society (NZ) (Stravinsky {USA}), Musidora (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}), Tallow (Street Cry {Ire}), Alzora (Redoute's Choice), Rose O' War (Danehill {USA}), Northern Bisque (Tolomeo {Ire}), Dancer's Choice (Bletchingly), Tennessee Vain (Whiskey Road {USA}) and Very Droll (Crown Jester).
Amongst that lovely list of mares are the dams of the Group 1 winners Skilled and Willowy (Kermadec {NZ}), Farnan and Ha Ha (Danehill {USA}); those last two both winners of the G1 Golden Slipper S.
It's an open running of the Vanity with six fillies opening at 10-1 or less; the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude quinella of Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) and Zeitung (Exceed And Excel), a race in which Matisse (Microphone) recorded smart splits, the G3 Reginald Allen Quality H. third placegetter Good Sort (Tassort), the unbeaten Sydney filly Extremely Hardys (Extreme Choice) and the promising Lovelycut (Ilovethiscity) who charged home late for a Listed Gothic S. second.
The G2 Wakeful S. - Oaks lead-up
The traditional lead-up to next Thursday's Oaks, the G2 Wakeful S. is named in honour of the wonderful mare Wakeful (Trenton {NZ}), the winner of 25 races, 12 of her which are now classified as Group 1 events whilst another six were in Principal races that no longer exist.
Wakeful was also a successful broodmare, producing the G1 Melbourne Cup winner Night Watch (St. Alwyne {GB}) and the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Blairgour (Wallace).
Wakeful | Image courtesy of Wikipedia
It is fitting that she be remembered every spring and a nice race it is too, 40 of its winners backing up to win the G1 VRC Oaks with Willowy the most recent of those in 2021.
It has been a while, but the race has also provided a trio of G1 Melbourne Cup winners - Evening Peal (Delville Wood {GB}), Light Fingers (NZ) (Le Filou {Fr}) and Rainbird (The Buzzard {GB}).
Thirty-six Wakeful winners have produced stakes winners with 12 of those represented by Group 1 progeny whilst a couple of have produced another Wakeful winner; Calera (NZ) (Zamazaan {Fr}) the dam of Imposera (NZ) (Imposing) and True Course (Midstream {GB}) the dam of Eld (Empyrean {GB}).
James McDonald has already won this race twice and he went close on last year's favourite (and this year's Cup candidate) Zardozi. He partners with the favourite on Saturday, Powers Of Opal (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) coming off a big win in a super maiden at Hawkesbury.
Her trainer John Sargent boasts an outstanding record in this race with his first three runners all saluting; Kirramosa (NZ) (Alamosa {NZ}) in 2013, Thunder Lady (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in 2014 and Luvaluva (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) in 2014. He tasted his first Wakeful defeat last year but was still in the thick of things with Harlow Mist (NZ) (Contributer {Ire}) finishing third.
Dangers to the favourite include the G3 Ethereal S. runner-up Jenni's Meadow (Brutal {NZ}), the in-form Yulong filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express), Inevitable Truth (Fastnet Rock) who ran on well when fourth in the Ethereal and Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth) whose Thousand Guineas Prelude run was better than it looks on paper.
Golden Eagle - $10 million up for grabs
Into its sixth year, this $10 million feature just for four-year-olds has attracted horses not only from around the country but from around the world with France, England and Japan represented.
Japan struck gold last year with Obamburumai (Jpn) (Discreet Cat {USA}) and are seeking another big pay day. Their two runners are far apart in the market, Ascoli Piceno (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) opening up favourite having always had the better of Corazon Beat (Jpn) (Suave Richard {Jpn}) who is being sent out at big odds.
Ascoli Piceno (Jpn), the current favourite for the $10 million Golden Eagle at Rosehill | Image courtesy of the Japan Racing Association
The unbeaten Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}) adds plenty of interest, coming off an outstanding performance in the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Meanwhile the English galloper Lake Forest (GB) (No Nay Never {USA}) is being tried beyond a sprinting trip for the first time.
There are plenty of chances amongst the local brigade including the dual Group 1 winner Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon), the consistent Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}), the in-form Ostraka (Prague), the G1 Toorak H. runner-up Craig (GB) (Territories {Ire}), the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) and last year's G1 Thousand Guineas heroine Joliestar (Zoustar) who did not have a great deal of luck in the G1 The Everest.
