Jockey Craig Newitt will look to secure his first Victoria Derby trophy retaining the ride this Saturday aboard the red hot favourite for the Flemington feature Tarzino.

2015 Victoria Derby favourite Tarzino will have Craig Newitt in the saddle for the sixth time in as many career runs in the Group 1 this Saturday. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

To date Newitt has ridden eight three-year-olds in the Melbourne Cup Carnival showdown for the one third place finish and will be out to break his duck in Saturday’s edition of the $1 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) in the saddle of the Mick Price-trained Tarzino.

Talented Tavistock colt Tarzino dominates the all-in Victoria Derby odds at Ladbrokes.com.au, who are offering an Extra 50% on your very first Fixed Odds winner on the card in Races 1 – 5 this Saturday, at $2.40.

That’s a firming price on the progressive staying type after his fast finishing third when one and three-quarter lengths off Ciaron Maher’s Crown Oaks-bound filly Jameka in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day last Saturday.

A winner of two of his five starts to date, the Vase was an improved effort from Tarzino who was seventh to Press Statement the start before in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10.

Appreciating the extra metres with each run, the step up to 2500m is set to suit the youngster this Saturday who will have Newitt in the saddle for the sixth time in as many career runs.

Yet to race at Flemington, Tarzino was put through his paces in a Caulfield gallop at home on Tuesday morning with a two lap trot and canter on the course proper.

Price has enjoyed one second and a third from eight Victoria Derby hopes over the years and plans to give his 2015 hope Tarzino a final piece of work ahead of the Group 1 feature on Wednesday morning.

While Tarzino looks spot-on for his Derby bid, he does have a hoodoo to overcome jumping as the punters’ pick with no favourite saluting in the Victoria Derby since Efficient (2006).

His biggest dangers according to the bookies in the pre-field Victoria Derby betting markets are Adam Durrant’s undefeated Perth raider Kia Ora Koutou ($8) who has winning form in non-black type company in WA up to 2200m and the Stuart Webb-trained Excellent Art colt Get The Picture ($8.50).

Get The Picture was runner-up behind Sovereign Nation in the Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley two back before a fourth to Sacred Eye in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Cup Day.

To get behind Tarzino or your other Victoria Derby betting selections at their current juicy prices before the field and barriers are released on Wednesday morning, visit Ladbrokes.com.au now who have Best Tote or SP + 20% markets on offer for the full nine-race Flemington card this Saturday in Melbourne!