Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan knows the Victoria Derby 2014 favourite Hampton Court is the three-year-old to beat but remains confident his hopeful Bachman can give him a run for his money in Saturday’s Flemington major.

Futures markets at Ladbrokes.com.au on this Saturday’s $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) have Gai Waterhouse’s last start Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) winner in Sydney Hampton Court as the $2.90 favourite.

A little further down those all-in Victoria Derby odds, Ryan’s All American colt Bachman sits as a $10 chance.

That’s a good price according to his trainer who is confident the up-and-comer can improve on a disappointing run last time out and go the distance when tested at 2500m on the weekend.

Bachman hasn’t won a race since a two and a half-length charge at Rosehill back in April on Golden Slipper Day in the Group 2 The Schweppervescence (1400m).

This time in his form has been hit and miss and includes a first-up 12^th to Hallowed Crown in the Group 1 Golden Rose (1400m) and a third two runs later behind the now Victoria Derby favourite Hampton Court in the Listed Dulcify Quality (1600m).

Last start then Bachman was sent to Melbourne for his interstate debut at Caulfield on October 18 in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) where he could only manage to finish 4.5 lengths away sixth behind Robert Smerdon’s Crown Oaks-bound filly Fontein Ruby.

He and Singapore-based Aussie hoop Corey Brown were caught back early on the rail, Bachman doing his best work late battling away once in the clear to make up ground and put in a decent Derby trial.

Ryan believes Hampton Court is the horse to beat this weekend in the Group 1, but believes Bachman could surprise a few with his dam’s pedigree coming into play.

“I’ve only watched yesterday’s (Moonee Valley) Vase live so I haven’t had a good look at those horses but so far I think Hampton Court is the one to beat,” Ryan told The West Australian on Sunday.

“Bachman has been aimed at the Derby. He didn’t have the best run in the Caulfield Classic but has done really well since.

“You never really know until they try how they will go over the distance but I think he will handle it.”

Hampton Court’s trainer Waterhouse won the 1995 Victoria Derby with Nothin’ Leica Dane who is the sire of Bachman’s mother Ain’t Seen Nothin’.

While Bachman’s Group 1 winning father All American was only ever stretched out further than a mile once when fifth in the Frank Packer Plate, Ryan hopes it is the staying ability from his mother’s side the youngster pulls out in the Derby.

Hampton Court meanwhile is looking to complete the same Spring Champion Stakes – Victoria Derby double Waterhouse’s 1995 champ Nothin’ Leica Dane did nine years earlier.

As for the Victoria Derby form coming out of Saturday’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), the winner Moonovermanhattan has firmed into $6 occupying the third line of Victoria Derby betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

His trainer Mick Price is yet to prepare a Victoria Derby winner.

Vase runner-up Atmosphere was beaten 1.75 lengths and is also at single-figures in the markets at $9 just ahead of Bachman.

The only other Victoria Derby hopeful under $10 in the latest betting is then second elect Preferment ($5), the Chris Waller-trained Zabeel colt bred for the distance and last seen running second in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) from October 22.

To back your favourites for the Victoria Derby at the hottest odds visit Ladbrokes.com.au and open an account with the bookie running the famous $3 million Mega Pick promotion this spring!