Top rider for Sydney trainer Peter Snowden and the Darley operation, Kerrin McEvoy has opted to partner with 2013 Victoria Derby favourite Complacent over their two stablemates in the big one at Flemington on Saturday.
Kerrin McEvoy is confident he's on the right horse (Complacent) to win the 2013 Victoria Derby on Saturday. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
The headline race of the weekend, the $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) is set to feature three Snowden-trained youngsters.
Early favourite in the markets and last start Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) winner in Sydney is Authroized colt Complacent.
And it is the top fancy McEvoy has opted to ride on the weekend as he shoots for his fourth three-year-old Group 1 trophy of the season.
The in-form hoop had a choice of three Darley Derby hopes, the others being Exceed And Excel colt San Diego and the progressive Tupac Amaru.
All three horses come into the Victoria Derby field off different lead-ups, and it is the Sydney Group 1 form McEvoy rates the highest.
San Diego has done their lead-up racing in Melbourne improving on a Group 2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) second at the Valley in September when crossing second to the Hugh Bowman-ridden Polanski in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19.
Street Cry colt Tupac Amaru meanwhile also has form in Victoria, their most recent effort being a good second to Gamblin’ Guru in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m).
While San Diego has the Melbourne form, and Tupac Amaru having run over the 2200m, it is the Spring Champion Stakes form at Randwick from October 12 McEvoy is tipping to stand up on Derby Day.
“I would say the Complacent and Savvy Nature form line is a bit stronger than the Norman Robinson,” McEvoy told The Age this week.
“Hughie [Bowman] had the better of me and San Diego in that race at Caulfield, but the Sydney form has been stronger.”
He missed the Group 1 ride in the Spring Champion, Christian Reith aboard the winner, but did partner Complacent for their two earlier wins.
He’s keen to get back on their back this weekend then for the Victoria Derby where the next best in betting, proving his theory of the Spring Champion form, is Spring Champion third placed Savvy Nature.
McEvoy also believes that Complacent will see out a strong 2500m and isn’t concerned as they go up from 2000m like the majority of their rivals.
“He has got to run it – that is always the question with the three-year-olds going this trip for the first time,” he said.
Victoria Derby 2013 final acceptances close at 10:00am (AEST) today with the field to be published right here at Races.com.au so stay tuned.
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