This year’s Victoria Derby is shaping up as a blockbuster with a quality lineup of top three-year-olds. El Castello, fresh off his victory in the Spring Champion Stakes, is set to lead the field and could be joined by Broadsiding, who showed resilience in his recent third-place finish in the W.S Cox Plate.
Should Godolphin decide to run their star colt, the highly anticipated clash between him and his sire Anthony’s colt would be one for the ages, with James McDonald set to ride if Broadsiding lines up.
The field includes other standout contenders: Caulfield Classic winner Kingofwallstreet with Mick Dee aboard, and Geelong Classic winner Saint Emillion, now paired with Tim Clark.
Danny O’Brien is expected to field both Politely Dun and Hot Too Go, while Keeneland, ridden by Hugh Bowman, and South Australian Hill Smith Stakes winner Goldrush Guru round out a strong group.
Broadsiding heads the current market with wagering companies at $3.50 despite there being no certainty that he will back-up in the race. El Castello was the early market favourite until Broadsiding was touted as backing up from the Cox Plate, he is $4.50 and they dominate the betting.
Victoria Derby Likely Field
| Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|
| BROADSIDING | J Cummings | – |
| EL CASTELLO | A Cummings | J Parr |
| KEENELAND | T Busuttin & N Young | H Bowman |
| KINGOFWALLSTREET | M Cumani | M Dee |
| CHINA SEA | J Sargent | M Zahra |
| RED ACES | N Ryan | J Mott |
| POLITELY DUN | D O’Brien | D Lane |
| GOLDRUSH GURU | A Gluyas | J Kah |
| KING OF THUNDER | J O’Shea & T Charlton | – |
| TENBURY WELLS | B Widdup | B Shinn |
| SAINT EMILLION | C Maher | T Clark |
| SCARY | D & E Browne | L Nolen |
| OXFORD BLUE | J Sandhu | E Brown |
| PERU | M Moroney & G Thompson | D Bates |
| AUTUMNHEAT | M Cumani | – |
| EL PASO | M, W & J Hawkes | – |
| HOT TOO GO | D O’Brien | – |