The 2012 Victoria Derby final field has been released this morning with a capacity line-up of 16 three-year-olds set to face off in the Flemington classic this Saturday.
Due to run as one of four Group 1 highlights on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) looks an intriguing edition this year as the short-priced favourite It’s A Dundeel looks to bounce back from their last start loss.
It's a Dundeel will look to bounce back in the 2012 Victoria Derby this Saturday
Previously undefeated the Spring Champion Stakes winning Kiwi failed to come within one and three quarter lengths of their surprise conqueror Super Cool in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday.
The Murray Baker-trained High Chaparral colt however is tipped to improve over more distance in the Victoria Derby 2012.
MV Vase winner Super Cool is among It’s A Dundeel’s Derby rivals this weekend, the Mark Kavanagh-trained Fastnet Rock gelding looking to step up to the 2500m and post back-to-back victories.
Other big name players in the Victoria Derby field for 2012 include the first four horses over the line in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) on Caulfield Cup Day with Peter Gelagotis’ winner Hvasstan, the David Payne-trained Honorius (2nd), Robert Smerdon’s Fasntet Rock gelding Electric Fusion (3rd) and progressive Cranbourne galloper Subiaso.
Notable omissions at final acceptance stage meanwhile included the Peter Snowden-trained Geelong Classic winner Solemn who is suffering from a high temperature, and Road Trippin who will be saved for a Listed 1800m race on Crown Oaks Day Thursday week.
Anthony Cummings was also looking to save his impressive last-start Rosehill winner Fiveandahalfstar for the easier Crown Oaks Day assignment but has accepted them for Saturday at this stage.
There were no emergencies for this year’s Victoria Derby.
The 2012 Victoria Derby barrier draw is due to take place at 12:00pm (AEST) today with the gates published right here at Races.com.au.
2012 Victoria Derby Final Field
Flemington Racecourse – 03/11/2012
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Jockey | Wgt. | Trainer | career | Rtg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1-11112 | IT’S A DUNDEEL | James McDonald | 55.5 | Murray Baker | 6-5-1-0 | 106 |
| 2 | 1-346-11337 | JIMANDO (BLKS) | Matthew Neilson | 55.5 | Tony McEvoy | 9-3-0-3 | 86 |
| 3 | 455711-3232 | HONORIUS | Corey Brown | 55.5 | David Payne | 11-2-2-2 | 80 |
| 4 | 6-1421 | SUPER COOL (BLKS) | Michael Rodd | 55.5 | Mark Kavanagh | 5-2-1-0 | 95 |
| 5 | 421121 | HVASSTAN (BLKS) | Glen Boss | 55.5 | Peter Gelagotis | 6-3-2-0 | 86 |
| 6 | 4236-465511 | FIVEANDAHALFSTAR | Damien Oliver | 55.5 | Anthony Cummings | 14-2-2-1 | 72 |
| 7 | 13312653 | ESCADO | Ben Melham | 55.5 | Matt Laurie | 8-2-1-3 | 66 |
| 8 | 8213 | ELECTRIC FUSION | Nicholas Hall | 55.5 | Robert Smerdon | 4-1-1-1 | 68 |
| 9 | 53-1294 | SUBIASO | Steven Arnold | 55.5 | Robbie Laing | 6-1-1-1 | 66 |
| 10 | 48-2413394 | BULLION EXPRESS | Vlad Duric | 55.5 | Dean Binaisse | 9-1-1-2 | 62 |
| 11 | 422 | MALABAR MAN | Craig Williams | 55.5 | Michael Kent | 3-0-2-0 | 66 |
| 12 | 73-23206 | COSTA NOVA (BLKS) | Hugh Bowman | 55.5 | Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra | 7-0-2-2 | 63 |
| 13 | 144 | OUR DESERT WARRIOR | Nash Rawiller | 55.5 | Gai Waterhouse | 3-1-0-0 | 64 |
| 14 | 734-2535 | NISOS | Billy Egan | 55.5 | Paul Rocke | 7-0-1-2 | 62 |
| 15 | 16270 | RAWNAQ (BLKS) | Michael Walker | 55.5 | David Hayes | 5-1-1-0 | 61 |
| 16 | 613 | BATISTUTA | Dean Yendall | 55.5 | Austy Coffey | 3-1-0-1 | 61 |
