Tony Vasil’s promising colt Altius has opened as the clear favourite to win the 2011 Victoria Derby this Melbourne Cup Carnival with the release of the Derby odds at Sportsbet.

Australia’s favourite online bookmaker Sportsbet opened their betting for the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) today, the premier three-year-olds classic due to run at Flemington on Saturday October 30.

The early favourite in the Victoria Derby betting is Redoute’s Choice colt Altius paying $5.50 at Sportsbet.

[victoriaderbyodds]

Altius has had just four race starts for two wins and two seconds, the consistent three-year-old ready to step up for the Derby.

The second elect at $8 is Jim Conlan’s well-bred gelding Rekindled Interest.

Other runners at the top of the odds are the Peter Snowden-trained Gloaming Stakes winner Retrieve ($8.50) and another star youngster from Snowden’s stables Giresun ($11), followed by Smokin Joey ($12) and Anacheeva ($13).

The odds on Anacheeva especially are very generous considering the Peter Moody-trained colt has already won the McKenzie Stakes and Caulfield Guineas Prelude this season.

The 2010 Crown Oaks Betting markets also opened at Sportsbet today, lead by classy filly Divorces.

The 2010 Victoria Derby nominations attracted 88 entries with Sportsbet offering great early odds on all of the hopefuls.

First declarations will be taken on Tuesday October 19 followed by the Victoria Derby final field of acceptances on Wednesday October 27, so stay tuned as the list of horses narrows down!

To get in on the Victoria Derby betting action head to [sportsbet] today. Don’t have an account? No worries, it only takes three minutes to sign up and new customers get a free $300 bet!