The first of the bumper four-day Flemington Spring carnival is Derby Day.
Nine races, three Group 1’s including the Victoria Derby, which is the oldest feature race in Australia having been run and won since 1855.
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In addition to the Derby, three-year-old sprinting stars will battle down the Flemington straight in the Coolmore Stud Stakes while the Empire Rose Stakes for the fillies and mares wraps up the Group 1 slate.
In Sydney, the $10 million Golden Eagle will take place – a terrific support act and a race that’s gone from strength to strength since its inception in 2019. See our comprehensive runner-by-runner preview here.
But the bulk of the action will be at Flemington Racecourse this Saturday. Let’s find a winner!
WHEN IS IT?
Saturday, October 31
WHERE IS IT?
Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne.
WHERE TO WATCH
All the action can be seen live on Channel 9, Racing.com, Kayo Sports and Sky Racing.
RACE SCHEDULE (ALL TIMES AEDT)
Race 1 (12:20pm) – Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes – 1600m
Race 2 (1pm) – Group 3 Vanity – 1400m
Race 3 (1:40pm) – Group 2 Wakeful Stakes – 2000m
Race 4 (2:20pm) – Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes – 1200m
Race 5 (3pm) – Group 2 The Damien Oliver – 1400m
Race 6 (3:40pm) – Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m
Race 7 (4:20pm) – Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500m
Race 8 (5pm) – Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – 1600m
Race 9 (5:40pm) – Group 3 Asahi Super Dry Sprint – 1100m
GROUP 1 RACE PREVIEWS
Race 6 (3:40pm) – Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes – 1200m
ANALYSIS: An exciting crop of three-year-old sprinters will race down the famous straight six in what is the first Group 1 of the four-day Flemington carnival. Generally the horses drawn wider on the track in the outside barriers are suited in these types of affairs. Therefore, The Next Episode, in barrier 14, does appeal. A colt by leading sire Snitzel, The Next Episode boasts a lethal finish as shown when he won the Danehill Stakes here earlier in the month, a key lead up race. Parked near the tail, he was asked for an effort about 300m out and let rip, hitting the lead right on the line. Tougher assignment here no doubt but the extra 100m will suit and he may just win in a very similar fashion.Satono Glow(four wins from five starts) takes on the boys but she’s impossible to leave out given she’s a winner down the Flemington straight. St Gotthard is a very promising colt who has two runner up finishes behind Warwoven this campaign. That’s outstanding form. The query is he hasn’t raced down the straight although he did trial quite well in his first look at this track. Under Focus was third behind said Warwoven-St Gotthard quinella in the Run to the Rose (Gr. 2) and Golden Rose (Gr. 1) so has to be respected.
Selections – 1. The Next Episode, 13. Satono Glow, 5. St Gotthard, 7. Under Focus
Race 7 (4:20pm) – Group 1 Victoria Derby – 2500m
ANALYSIS: The day’s feature is the Victoria Derby over 2500 metres for the three-year-olds. It’s not a vintage Derby it must be said with seemingly no emerging superstar, which leaves an open field. Hence, there’s a bit of value to be found. One of a handful of horses over the odds is Written Empire at $34, who is on the quick back up after racing here last weekend. He had his chance there but off that effort, it looked as if he’s going to relish the rise in trip. From the barrier, he will enjoy a very economical run on the fence, which is crucial for a race of this length. Stormy Marco is a Sydney visitor who brings Group 1 formlines into this having just run 4th in a Spring Champion Stakes. He attacked the line and ran the fastest last 400m of the race that day, indicating he’s ready for the extra distance he sees here. Icy You was brave in defeat in the Geelong Classic, beating all bar True Rebel, who has to contend with a wide draw here. Both those horses handled 2200 metres in that race meaning there’s a little more confidence they’ll be able to run out the Derby distance of 2500 metres.
Selections – 12. Written Empire, 2. Stormy Marco, 9. Icy You, 3. True Rebel
Race 8 (5pm) – Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes – 1600m
ANALYSIS: It’s difficult to make a case for anything other than Lady Sheandoah. She’s an absolute ripper, who has been racing at the top level her entire career just about. She was giving the boys weight in the Group 1 Toorak last start and poked through late thanks to a terrific ride from Australia’s leading jockey James McDonald. She’s now back against her own sex and basically at level weights with the rest of the field, all of whom haven’t been nearly as exposed to Group 1 racing as she has. She’s the best bet on the program. Concord Connie went for a spell with some sort of rap around her last prep. She hasn’t been able to win this time in but both runs have been decent. She has a stack of upside and the experienced Craig Williams hopping on is a huge tick. You’d love to own Surfin’ Bird. She just knows how to win. Seven from 12 is no mean feat, including her last, the most recent over this track/trip a week ago. Idle Flyer is a genuine winning hope if she finds her best form.
Selections – 1. Lady Shenandoah, 10. Concord Connie, 3. Surfin’ Bird, 2 Idle Flyer
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