The in-form New Zealand galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart is tipped to continue the gun run of Kiwis in the autumn features down under this weekend heading 2023 Australian Derby betting in Sydney.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart is clear favourite in Australian Derby 2023 betting this weekend. Photo: Steve Hart.

The NZ-trained visitors have had a gun run in Australia over the past few weeks and that could continue at Royal Randwick on Day 1 of The Championships in the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby (2400m).

Back down under for the mile and a half showdown is the Graeme & Deborah Rogerson-trained Sharp ‘N’ Smart coming off back-to-back Group 1 wins back home across the Tasman.

At his latest start the talented Redwood gelding saluted as the odds-on favourite in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m).

He now heads to Sydney chasing the double back in Australia for the first time since his brave second behind Manzoice at Flemington in October’s Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last spring.

Prior to that he ran very well at the Randwick track winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) right on the line.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart gets his shot at another elite level down under on Saturday heading Australian Derby betting at $3.30 through Ladbrokes.com.au despite his wide barrier 17 of 18 draw for jockey Hugh Bowman to overcome.

The danger at current Australian Derby odds of $5.50 drawn better in gate six is the James Cummings-trained Pericles.

James McDonald partners the consistent son of Street Boss who is fourth-up and fit this weekend.

He won the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) two back at Sandown by nearly three lengths before devastatingly close second in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 18.

Pericles gets out over further now at Randwick in his first run over more than 2000m since his eighth in the VRC Derby.

Mark Twain ($8) drawn one closer to the rails in barrier five is the only other runner in the 18-starter Australian Derby 2023 field under $10 for the win.

Another hailing from the land of the long white cloud, the three-year-old son of 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is prepared out of Cambridge by Roger James & Robert Wellwood.

He is also out to frank the form out of the NZ Derby having run two lengths back fourth to Sharp ‘N’ Smart and should get a charmed run from the gate with Kerrin McEvoy riding on the weekend.

Chris Waller’s Victoria Derby winner Manzoice is in the mix with Michael Dee riding from barrier 14 chasing the interstate double and pays $13 to win.

The other $13 fancies being kept safe in the markets are the progressive John O’Shea-trained Stroke Of Luck rising notably in grade and Dundeel colt Elliptical for Anthony & Sam Freedman coming off a fourth in the Rosehill Guineas

Click here for the latest Australian Derby 2023 betting odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2023 Australian Derby Final Field & Barrier Draw  

Table Credit: Racing Australia.