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The country’s best three-year-old stayers take to the Flemington track in the key race on Day 1 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and this year’s Victoria Derby 2026 field and barriers have been locked in for the time-honoured $3 million feature.
First run in 1855 and boasting an elite honour role including Observer last spring, the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) has drawn a capacity field this season with tight betting market that has two horses battling for favouritism.
Currently sitting top of the Victoria Derby odds at $4.60 through Ladbrokes is the Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich-trained Cormier who has been heavily backed early by the punters after coming up trumps with barrier three.
The Maurice colt sees the Flemington track for the first time on the weekend and is something of a surprise Derby favourite considering he’s won just one of his seven starts to date and that was only over 1100m at Scone on debut.
He showed promise as a two-year-old in the winter when second in Brisbane’s Group 1 JJ Atkins over the mile and has been steadily building this time in, perhaps crying out for the extra distance now.
Fourth in a blanket finish two back in the Group 3 Gloaming Stakes, he was last seen running in Randwick’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) when third to the undefeated Proxima Dea.
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy gave him the tick of approval after the ride saying he felt like a horse that would get further, and Cormier gets the chance to prove that on Saturday from gate three with Jamie Mott coming aboard for the ride.
The danger and horse that could start on top of Victoria Derby betting come race day is the widely drawn Chris Waller-trained Stormy Marco ($4.80).
Waller chases his fourth VRC Derby victory this weekend and first since Riff Rocket back in 2023, and the bookies are taking no chances with his standout hope.
A well-tried colt lining up in his eighth start, Stormy Marco brings in very similar form lines having run third in the JJ Atkins, fifth third-up in the Gloaming and fourth last start in the Spring Champion.
Things didn’t go his way from an awkward position in the Sydney Group 1 which saw him over-race, but he gets the services of James McDonald this weekend who’ll try to get him to settle into his rhythm going back from the nasty gate.
The other single figure hope in the Victoria Derby odds at $7.50 is one-time favourite True Rebel with Danny O’Brien‘s promising Rebel Dane gelding on the drift after also drawing wide out in barrier 16 which will become 14 at best if the emergencies fail to gain a start.
True Rebel shot to the top of futures Derby betting after his Cox Plate Day performance storming home to win last weekend’s Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase by a half-length over 2040m at Flemington.
The Vase has been the superior form line to follow into the big one in recent years with Observer doing the double last year, and there’s still support for True Rebel to be the next on the quick back-up with Billy Egan to ride.
A host of other promising young gallopers follow in the markets including the in-form King Snitz ($11) chasing a hat trick, and the Ciaron Maher-trained trio of Murshidi ($12), Skua ($13) and Vallice ($15).
King Snitz has been a spring revelation for Warrnambool trainer Shane Jackson, the lightly raced Snitzel colt having gone from strength to strength since his debut on August 28 when unplaced at Geelong.
He broke his maiden status two back at his home track in a huge three-length effort over 2000m before facing his first Group race test in the Caulfield Classic over the same trip on Caulfield Cup Day for a narrow photo-finish victory.
Both Jackson and jockey Damian Lane were full of post-race praise for the tough up-and-comer who fought all the way to the line in the Group 3 putting his head down when it mattered and running like a horse who’ll get the Derby trip.
“The further he goes, the better he’ll be. He’s a beautiful horse,” his trainer said on the day.
Maher meanwhile chases back-to-back victories having prepared the aforementioned Observer for his 2025 VRC Derby success and has a strong hand again this spring.
He saddles-up last start Geelong Classic winner Murshidi, the gutsy Vase runner-up Skua and progressive Caulfield Classic second placegetter Vallice who all have genuine claims at the title.
The 2026 Victoria Derby is set to run as Flemington Race 7 at 4:20pm (AEDT) on Saturday’s all Black-Type Melbourne race card.
Victoria Derby 2026 Odds
| 1. Cormier (3) J: Jamie Mott 57kg x0843 T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start led but faded 3rd of 9 in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 24 over 2000m, 1.75 len behind Proxima Dea with 56.5kg at $16. The run before that 4th of 10 in the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1800m, long-neck behind Proxima Dea with 56.5kg at $4.20. Can improve again. Will stay all day and sets up beautifully from the gate. | |||
| 2. Stormy Marco (16) J: James McDonald 57kg x2954 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Last start 4th of 9 in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on October 24 over 2000m, 3 len behind Proxima Dea carrying 56.5kg at $10. The run before that got back early 5th of 10 in the G3 Gloaming Stakes at Rosehill on October 10 over 1800m, 0.5 len behind Proxima Dea with 56.5kg at $6.50. Big run last week, J-Mac offsets the gate and he’ll be very hard to beat. | |||
| 3. True Rebel (17) J: Billy Egan 57kg 3121 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.5 len in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at this track on October 24 over 2040m defeating Skua carrying 57kg at $2.60. The run before that 2nd of 8 in a 3yo Bm70 at Caulfield on October 14 over 1600m, head behind Mister Whiskers carrying 58.5kg at $2.90. Good win last week albeit with all favours, can’t dismiss. | |||
| 4. King Snitz (6) J: Damian Lane 57kg 9311 T: Shane Jackson | |||
| Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run came from midfield and won by a nose in the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 17 over 2000m defeating Vallice with 57kg at $16. The run before that ran on from midfield and won by 3 len in a Mdn-Sw at Warrnambool on September 21 over 2000m defeating Los Bravos with 57kg at $1.70. Won key lead up nicely and should stay strongly. | |||
| 5. Murshidi (18) J: Blake Shinn 57kg x7321 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Last start came from midfield and won by a neck in the LR Geelong Classic on October 21 over 2200m defeating Icy You with 57kg at $3.70. The race before that sat on the pace when 2nd of 9 in a Mdn-Sw at Geelong on October 7 over 1765m, slow going 3.5 len behind Fringilla carrying 57kg at $2.30. Against the Geelong form. | |||
| 6. Vallice (14) J: Mark Zahra 57kg 44522 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 8 in the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 17 over 2000m, nose behind King Snitz with 57kg at $4.40. Before that 2nd of 12 in the LR Super Impose Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1800m, in the wet; 2.5 len behind Miss Waititi with 57kg at $4.20. Had chance latest but is in the minor mix again. | |||
| 7. Skua (13) J: John Allen 57kg 31662 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| At the latest run gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 11 in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 0.5 len behind True Rebel carrying 57kg at $21. Before that raced on the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 8 in the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 17 over 2000m, 5 len behind King Snitz carrying 57kg at $10. Kept kicking last week, fancy he’ll stay all day. | |||
| 8. Cignetti (12) J: William Pike 57kg x1233 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Racing well recently. Last start 3rd of 8 in the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 17 over 2000m, head behind King Snitz with 57kg at $6.50. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 12 in the LR Super Impose Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1800m, on heavy track; 3.5 len behind Miss Waititi with 57kg at $8. Wins in another stride last time, looks a solid chance. | |||
| 9. Icy You (10) J: Craig Williams 57kg 21242 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Most recently held ground to the line 2nd of 13 in the LR Geelong Classic on October 21 over 2200m, neck behind Murshidi with 57kg at $7.50. The start before that 4th of 12 in the LR Super Impose Stakes at this track on October 3 over 1800m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Miss Waititi carrying 57kg at $14. Risking. | |||
| 10. True Tone (15) J: Jason Collett 57kg 44213 T: Chris Waller | |||
| Most recently raced on speed throughout when 3rd of 13 in the LR Geelong Classic on October 21 over 2200m, 1.0 len behind Murshidi carrying 57kg at $2.60. The start before that favourite; won by a nose in a Super Mdn at Warwick Farm on October 5 over 1600m in soft going defeating Tharwa with 55.5kg at $2.80. Can improve again but other form stronger. | |||
| 11. Hierarchy (4) J: Ben Melham 57kg 3148 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| At the latest run got back early 8th of 11 in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 4.5 len behind True Rebel carrying 57kg at $8. The run before that 4th of 8 in a 3yo Bm70 at Caulfield on October 14 over 1600m, 1.75 len behind Mister Whiskers carrying 59kg at $6.50. Got home fairly well last week but still needs to improve a long way. | |||
| 12. Written Empire (2) J: Harry Coffey 57kg 4136 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Last start 6th of 11 in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind True Rebel with 57kg at $7.50. The run before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 8 in a 3yo Bm70 at Caulfield on October 14 over 1600m, 1.4 len behind Mister Whiskers carrying 58.5kg at $4.40. Okay last week and maps well, rough top four hope. | |||
| 13. Russian Rock (7) J: Michael Dee 57kg 3×154 T: Michael Trotter | |||
| Last start 4th of 8 in the G3 Caulfield Classic on October 17 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind King Snitz with 57kg at $2.90. The run before that 5th of 9 in the G2 Bill Stutt Stakes at Caulfield on September 27 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Diameter carrying 57kg at $31. Well backed last time but needs to go to a new level. | |||
| 14. Cold Shower (5) J: Jett Stanley 57kg 316 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Last start 6th of 13 in the LR Geelong Classic on October 21 over 2200m, 4.5 len behind Murshidi with 57kg at $12. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 2.25 len in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Geelong on October 7 over 2270m in soft going defeating Gradivus carrying 58kg at $2.60. Other form stronger. | |||
| 15. King Winston (9) J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg 0245 T: Greg Eurell | |||
| Last start 5th of 11 in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase at this track on October 24 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind True Rebel carrying 57kg at $61. The race before that 4th of 9 in a Mdn-Sw at Geelong on October 7 over 1765m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Fringilla carrying 57kg at $10. Should stay well but doubt he has the class. | |||
| 16. Quick Finish (11) J: Jye Mcneil 55kg 5111 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| At the latest run won by 0.5 len in a G3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield on October 17 over 2000m defeating Your Colour carrying 56kg at $15. The start before that won by a long-neck in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m defeating Icy You carrying 57kg at $6. Rare attempt by a filly in the Derby, fancy other formlines stronger. | |||
| 17. Meet The Prince (1) J: Jackson Radley 57kg x0622 T: Patrick Kearney | |||
| Dual acceptor. Last start made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 11 in a Mdn-Sw at Echuca on October 19 over 2100m, 1.0 len behind Notre Citrouille carrying 57kg at $4.40. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 10 in a Mdn-Sw at Manangatang on October 10 over 1550m, long-neck behind Misil Beauty with 57.5kg at $3.10. Outclassed. | |||
| 18. Locked In (8) J: Ben Allen 57kg 9×749 T: Ken & Kasey Keys | |||
| Last start eased back early on 9th of 13 in the LR Geelong Classic on October 21 over 2200m, 6 len behind Murshidi carrying 57kg at $151. Before that 4th of 8 in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Geelong on October 7 over 2270m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Cold Shower with 58kg at $6. Outclassed. | |||
