The Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young-trained Main Stage has regained favouritism in Victoria Derby 2017 betting ahead of the Group 1 classic running this Saturday at Flemington with a number of early withdrawals.

Main Stage has jumped to the top of 2017 Victoria Derby betting after the withdrawal of Cliff’s Edge. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A number of three-year-olds staked their claims for the Group 1 $1.5 million Victoria Derby (2500m) with big Cox Plate Day efforts over the weekend, but the money remains on Reliable Man gelding Main Stage.

The Kiwi-bred youngster won the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington two back before runner-up that day, Cliff’s Edge, turned the tables in the Group 3 Ladbrokes Classic (2000m).

Main Stage could only manage to run five lengths back fifth in the Ladbrokes Classic at Caulfield, but is tipped to return to form back at Flemington on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.

The latest pre-field Victoria Derby odds at Ladbrokes.com.au list Main Stage as the $4.50 favourite after news that the Darren Weir-trained Cliff’s Edge would be a non-acceptor for the race when the field is announced on Tuesday morning.

The colt was a distant second to gun filly Aloisia in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) over the weekend and connections have opted not to extend Cliff’s Edge over the 2500m of the Group 1 this Saturday.

Jockey Michael Walker has been confirmed to ride Main Stage in the VRC Derby on the weekend.

Also out of the VRC Derby are the Tony McEvoy-trained Royal Symphony after his gut-busting fourth in the Cox Plate behind triple winner Winx and the Anthony Freedman-trained Tavistock Abbey who was number one on the ballot.

“He’s pretty sad and sorry this morning,” McEvoy said of Royal Symphony, who suffered interference in the Cox Plate run, on Sunday morning.

“I couldn’t see him recovering well enough to be backing up within seven days so we are going to give him the respect he wasn’t showed yesterday.

“He’s got lumps and bumps and couple of cuts, nothing too serious but he isn’t a happy horse, he clearly didn’t enjoy what happened yesterday.

“So we will give him a good rest and hopefully it doesn’t have any lasting effects on him mentally.”

New favourite Main Stage could be joined in the capacity 16-starter Victoria Derby field by Sully ($6.50) and Johnny Vinko ($34).

Sully, also a son of Reliable Man, was impressive at Randwick on October 7 when third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) and will have Hugh Bowman aboard on Saturday.

UCI Stakes third-placed Savabeel gelding Johnny Vinko though has eased in Victoria Derby betting after his disappointing 11^th in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) from a wide barrier 15 of 16 draw, Stephen Baster on standby for the Group 1 ride.

Close second elect behind Main Stage in the VRC Derby odds is the David Payne-trained Spring Champion Stakes winner Ace High ($5).

Ace High will be chasing a third win on the trot in his Melbourne debut having also taken out Sydney’s Group 3 Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill this season.

The bookies are also taking no chances with Tangled ($5.50) from the Chris Waller stables after the Snitzel colt’s seconds in the Spring Champion Stakes and Ladbrokes Classic.

Geelong Classic winner Weather With You ($7) is also under $10 for the win, with Kiwi horseman Murray Baker confirming the New Zealander for the race.

Official 2017 Victoria Derby final acceptances close at 10am (AEDT) on Tuesday morning followed by updated odds at Ladbrokes.com.au.