VICTORIA DERBY 2019 PREVIEW
FLEMINGTON RACE 7 – 15:45 AEDT
OPEN G1
2500m
$2,000,000
GOOD 4
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 4x311 | SHADOW HERO | MARK NEWNHAM | J PARR (10) | 55.5 | $3.40 |
| 2 | x2181 | SOUL PATCH | K KEYS | D DUNN (2) | 55.5 | $4.50 |
| 3 | x2511 | THOUGHT OF THAT | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | M ZAHRA (1) | 55.5 | $3.70 |
| 4 | x3412 | WARNING | A FREEDMAN | D OLIVER (11) | 55.5 | $9 |
| 5 | 51413 | SERIOUS LIAISON | D O'BRIEN | 55.5 | ||
| 6 | 1x735 | HUNTLY CASTLE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | J M NEIL (13) | 55.5 | $35 |
| 7 | x9824 | INDEPENDENT ROAD | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | L NOLEN (6) | 55.5 | $35 |
| 8 | x1661 | LONG JACK | M B & A FORSMAN | C WILLIAMS (16) | 55.5 | $18 |
| 9 | x1515 | CRAFTMANSHIP | M PRICE & M KENT | JAMIE KAH (12) | 55.5 | $71 |
| 10 | x3212 | SOUTHERN MOON | MITCHELL FREEDMAN | W EGAN (8) | 55.5 | $15 |
| 11 | 32323 | RELUCENT | C WALLER | H BOWMAN (4) | 55.5 | $16 |
| 12 | x1557 | HE IS | M KAVANAGH | D YENDALL (15) | 55.5 | $81 |
| 13 | x4824 | TRANSLATOR | N BLACKISTON | JORDAN CHILDS (3) | 55.5 | $41 |
| 14 | 74528 | NAVARRE | T B & N YOUNG | M WALKER (9) | 55.5 | $201 |
| 15 | 235 | SIGN SEAL DELIVER | MATTHEW CUMANI | J ALLEN (14) | 55.5 | $71 |
| 16 | 6840 | LUCKY EDWARD | T VASIL | JACK HILL (5) | 55.5 | $251 |
OVERVIEW
The Victoria Derby carries the prestige of being the headline race for the day – no small feat considering the quality of racing taking place. The Derby is intriguing, with a number of up and coming 3-year-olds making their staying claims for the rest of Spring and the future. The race may come down to tactics in the end, with most runners never experiencing a distance like this before due to their young age.
SPEED MAP
Thought of That looks to get a very easy run out in front and should be able to run the race at his own tempo. Sign Seal Deliver looks the only other main front runner who may contest for the lead, barring any tactics change. Favourites Shadow Hero and Soul Patch are likely to be amongst the runners at the tail of the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- SHADOW HERO ($3.40)
Supremely talented Gelding who looks like has been crying out for this distance. Was brilliant two back in the Gloaming, scoring a dominant 3.3L victory before facing his stiffest test to date in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes against the likes of Castelvecchio and Just Thinkin’. He handled that beautifully and should appreciate the extra distance.
- SOUL PATCH ($4.50)
Has found a knack for winning in his short career, scoring three wins from just five starts thus far. Found the jump from BM64 to Group 1 level a bit tough in the Caulfield Guineas, where he was under the pump a long way from home. Followed that run however, with a jump to 2040m at The Valley and shot clear to score by 2.5 lengths. Might appreciate the jump to 2500m and outstay them?
- THOUGHT OF THAT ($3.70)
The ascension to Group 1 level has been swift for this Maher/Eustace trained Colt. Just two starts ago he was still racing at Maiden grade but something clicked at Donald and he went on to romp home by 8 lengths. Showed this wasn’t a one-off performance after he backed it up the following start, beating Warning by 3.75L. Never raced this distance but looks promising.
BLUEY’S PICK
- THOUGHT OF THAT ($3.70)
The top three in the weights dominate betting and I’m confident the winner will come out of one of them. Siding with Thought of That who is on the rise at the moment after scoring an 8L victory at Donald and backing it up with a 3.75L victory at Caulfield in Group 3 level. Looks to be left alone out in front and control this the whole way.
