While Flemington trainer Michael Moroney is fighting against the clock to get Marwood ready for the 2013 Caulfield Guineas, his bid to win another Victoria Derby is progressing nicely with Famechon.

Michael Moroney is preparing Famechon for a 2013 Victoria Derby bid this spring. Photo: Taron Clarke.

Moroney revealed his contender for the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on Saturday week Marwood was suffering from a throat infection that explained their first defeat when sixth in the Guineas Prelude on Sunday.

They remain in preparation for a start but there is a chance Moroney won’t have them back to peak fitness to tackle the classic.

Another Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival major for three-year-olds however looks within Moroney’s reach as he sets his Haradasun colt Famechon on the path to the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday November 2 – the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Famechon remains a maiden after four starts but continues to improve with each run as Moroney steps them up in distance, the three-year-old born to stay.

“We put him in the paddock with the Derby in mind,” Moroney, who won the 2009 Victoria Derby with Monaco Consul, told Racing Victoria.

“He only had a brief break and was always going to be pointed there and he’s through the first step and it’s now step by step to try and make it there with him.

“He’s a nice type of horse still learning his craft. I think he’s going the right way.”

Their latest effort was also their first trip to a big city meet with Famechon running in a 1700m handicap at Caulfield on September 21.

The race was won by Rockford but Moroney’s 20-1 shot was far from disgraced when two and a half lengths away sixth.

It seems that Moroney isn’t the only one seeing the staying potential of the youngster either.

Futures Victoria Derby betting markets opened at the Aussie bookies this week and Famechon is inside of $20 paying $16.

The odds are led by Spring Stakes winner Savvy Nature ($7.50) who ran second to Complacent in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill over the weekend.

Famechon will get a chance to improve their Victoria Derby claims this Saturday at Flemington too having been nominated for the $120,000 Listed UCI Stakes (1800m).

Think Famechon is worth a sneaky early bet to win this year’s Victoria Derby?