Track: Good Weather: Fine

There is a full field of sixteen plus four emergencies for the $2,000,000 Group 1 Victoria Derby.  There are three sons of Maurice, two sons of Teofilo and two sons of Tavistock in the field.  Seven back up after a run in last weeks Moonee Valley Vase, three ran in the Caulfield Classic on October 16 and three ran in the Geelong Classic ten days ago.

The early favourite in a competitive betting race is Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr’s Gunstock.  He capitalised on the right run to win the Caulfield Classic last start and gives every indication he will relish 2500m.  Next in the betting is Forgot You.  He won the Moonee Valley Vase last week and was set for this race at the beginning of his preparation.

Hitotsu has been met with good early market support.  Tutukaka won the Geelong Classic and is another who should relish this distance.  Alegron was third in the Spring Champion at Randwick last start.  Jungle Magnate was an eye catcher in the Moonee Valley Vase, while Teewaters bolted in, in a Ballarat maiden two starts ago.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Forgot You

We made this son of Savabeel a black booker for this race a number of weeks ago.  He impressed winning the Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 24, ran well in the Caulfield Guineas, then won the Moonee Valley Vase last week.  Draws perfectly in barrier eight for Daniel Moor.  Leading contender.

2. Tutukaka

Out and out stayer who won the Geelong Classic impressively on October 20.  Top jock James McDonald takes over from Damian Lane who is suspended.  Each way chance.

3. Alegron

Improving type from the Godolphin barn.  He was third in the Group 1 Spring Champion last start and gets a red hot Brett Prebble from a perfect draw.  Has a chance.

4. Gunstock

Current race favourite.   Charged home here two stars ago, then the blinkers went on for the first time last start and he bolted in at Caulfield.  Drawn a sticky gate in barrier 19 but has had the right prep for this.  Major player.

5. Akihiro

Thought he had every chance when fourth behind Forgot You last week.  Losing James McDonald is a negative.

6. Character

Has found an extra gear since the blinkers went on three starts ago.  Latest was second in the Geelong Classic.  Rough place chance.

7. Jungle Magnate

Son of the Victoria Derby winner Tarzino.  He had to circum navigate the field from last in the Moonee Valley Vase but still managed to peel off the fastest last 200m split of the race on his way to running third.  Can settle closer here.  In the mix.

8. Commander Harry

Went around $101-1 at Moonee Valley last week and nearly stole it thanks to a genius ride from Linda Meech.  Wouldn’t shock to see him run well again here.

9. Hitotsu

Lightly raced colt from the Maher & Eustace barn.  He broke his maiden at Donald first up, then ran a good fifth in the Caulfield Guineas.  Has to jump from 1600m to 2500m here but is a real talent and I think he is capable of doing so.  Expect a bold showing.

10. Cerberus

Winkers go on.  Impressed winning the Hill Smith Stakes in Adelaide on October 9 and that form ties in with Jungle Magnate who finished second, then ran well at Moonee Valley.  Going to need a top ride from barrier 20 but if he gets it has an each way chance.

11. Gundec

Won the Derby Trial here over 1800m two starts ago but don’t think his form is good enough for this.

12. Clyde

Won a benchmark 58 at Scone last start.  That form is not good enough for this.

13. El Rocko

Ran well at Moonee Valley last week behind Forgot You but doubt he has the talent to be featuring in the top four here.

14. Raging Bull

Son of Bull Point trained by David Payne.  Was sixth in the Spring Champion last start.

16. Teewaters

Bolted in by six lengths on his home track at Ballarat two back, then was a good third behind Gunstock last start when in the wrong section of the track.  Roughie with a chance.

17. Zoumon – 1st Emerg

Needs one scratching to get into the field.  His win was good against the older horses in benchmark 70 grade at Moe last start.  Genuine staying type who should make this a true test from the front if he gets a run.  Consider for multiples.

18. Sebastian The Fox – 2nd Emerg

Was six lengths behind Gunstock at Caulfield last start.  Can’t see him being a factor here.

19. King Of Pharaohs – 3rd Emerg

Ran on okay at Geelong last start.  Needs to improve to figure here.

20. Spirit Of Gaylard – 4th Emerg

Thought his run was terrific in the Moonee Valley Vase coming off a victory in a slow run Bendigo maiden the start prior.  Unlikely to get a run but if he does capable of a top four finish.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Forgot You	9. Hitotsu
4. Gunstock	3. Alegron
9. Hitotsu	10. Cerberus
17e. Zoumon	16. Teewaters

Group 1 Cantala Stakes 2021 (Flemington 1600m)

Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes 2021 (Flemington 1200m)

Group 3 Lexus Hotham Handicap 2021 (Flemington 2500m)

The Golden Eagle 2021 (Rosehill 1500m)