AUSTRALIAN DERBY 2020 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 7 – 15:55 AEDT
3YO
2400m
$1,000,000
SOFT 6
Rail TRUE entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 2x681 | CASTELVECCHIO | RICHARD LITT | J B MC DONALD (9) | 56.5 | $2.75 |
| 2 | 5x514 | SHADOW HERO | MARK NEWNHAM | J PARR (7) | 56.5 | $4 |
| 3 | 1x755 | WARNING | A FREEDMAN | TOMMY BERRY (10) | 56.5 | $5.50 |
| 4 | 41317 | SHERWOOD FOREST | T PIKE | K MCEVOY (12) | 56.5 | $14 |
| 5 | x6131 | ERIC THE EEL | S KENDRICK | N RAWILLER (11) | 56.5 | $26 |
| 6 | x4231 | QUICK THINKER | M B & A FORSMAN | O P BOSSON (6) | 56.5 | $9 |
| 7 | 6x112 | ZEBROWSKI | M HAWKES | H BOWMAN (4) | 56.5 | $14 |
| 8 | 11x98 | CHAINS OF HONOUR | G A RYAN | R DOLAN (5) | 56.5 | $81 |
| 9 | 9x241 | SKIDDAW | D O'BRIEN | B AVDULLA (2) | 56.5 | $26 |
| 10 | x4233 | DIASONIC | R LAMING | TIM CLARK (1) | 56.5 | $26 |
| 11 | 1120 | GET THE IDEA | J SARGENT | J R COLLETT (8) | 56.5 | $101 |
| 12 | 0x112 | SACRAMENTO | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | A HYERONIMUS (3) | 56.5 | $61 |
OVERVIEW
The Australian Derby always makes for an interesting race, with many of the 3-year-olds testing the water at 2400m for the first time. Castelvecchio is the one to beat after a strong win in the Rosehill Guineas but first time at 2400m. Shadow Hero and Warning look like the main two dangers and might have been looking for this distance. Wide open field and most of these would not shock.
SPEED MAP
Sacramento looks to get an easy time out in front on paper, drawing barrier 3 and facing little competition for the lead. Perhaps Skiddaw or Zebrowski also push forward from barriers 2 and 4 respectively. Quick Think and Get The Idea shouldn’t be far away either. The top three in the market; Castelvecchio, Shadow Hero and Warning should all be toward the rear of the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- CASTELVECCHIO ($2.75)
Was given an absolute peach of a ride last start by Craig Williams to take out the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas in a visually impressive display. I do think the ride flattered his performance a bit though. Putting together a very solid career however, and I’m interested to see how he goes at 2400m.
- WARNING ($5.50)
Has been solid, without being spectacular this prep so far, finishing within striking range in each of his three starts, but never troubling the winners. He exploded last prep when jumping past 2000m, scoring a dominant 3L+ victory in the Group 1 Victorian Derby.
- QUICK THINKER ($9)
Brought superb form lines into last week, including runs behind Funstar and he looked like an excellent prospect of improving out to 2000m, which he did, scoring a 1.3L over Zebrowski. Jumps straight to 2400m here but could be a chance of improving again. In the mix here for sure.
BLUEY’S PICK
- WARNING ($5.50)
Happy to risk the favourite Castelvecchio here. He was given a tremendous ride from Craig Williams last start but is untried over 2400m. Warning is the one for mine. He’s been crying out for this distance and should be peaking here fourth up. Can explode to win here.
