CORMIER (3) deserves his place at the top of the 2026 Victoria Derby odds after drawing ideally in barrier three and bringing some strong Sydney form into the Flemington classic, but at the same time he’s hardly a moral.

The Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained son of Maurice was solid when third behind unbeaten filly Proxima Dea in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes and looks every bit a horse crying out for the rise to 2500m after hitting the line strongly over 2000m.

From a low draw, Jamie Mott should enjoy a soft run on or near the speed, and if Cormier relaxes early, he could prove very hard to run down.

The query for punters is obvious though; despite being the Derby favourite, he has won just once from seven starts and is yet to score beyond 1100m, making him a horse with clear staying upside but still a few boxes to tick at the elite level.

Each Way.

TRUE REBEL (17) profiles as the value each way danger after his impressive Moonee Valley Vase victory, a form line that has stood up brilliantly in recent years, including Observer’s Vase-Derby double last spring.

The Danny O’Brien-trained gelding surged to favouritism after that dominant win but has eased slightly in betting after drawing awkwardly in barrier 17, which presents a genuine challenge for Billy Egan.

Still, there’s plenty to like about this lightly raced colt, who boasts two wins and a second from four starts and looks tailor-made for the rise to 2500m.

He’ll need a touch of luck from the wide alley and can’t afford to be caught working early, but if Egan can slot in with cover, True Rebel has the turn of foot and staying upside to be charging home late and looks a genuine top three chance at attractive odds.

KING SNITZ (6) looks the forgotten horse in the market and appeals as the standout value play in this year’s Victoria Derby for mine.

The Shane Jackson-trained son of Snitzel arrives chasing a hat-trick after a dominant maiden win over 2000m at Warrnambool and a gutsy Group 3 Caulfield Classic victory where he put his head down when it mattered most.

With champion jockey Damian Lane retaining the ride and a favourable draw allowing him to settle midfield with cover, he should enjoy every chance to run out a strong 2500m.

The further he has gone this preparation, the better he has looked, and being out of former Oaks-winning stayer Princess Jenni, there’s every indication the Derby trip will suit.

He still has to prove himself against some of the more exposed Group 1 performers, but at double-figure odds King Snitz profiles as the value runner capable of outrunning his price.

VALLICE (14) appeals as the underrated runner in the field and shapes as an excellent next best selection at value odds for the Derby.

The Ciaron Maher-trained son of Maurice has been quietly building the right profile for this race, hitting the line strongly in consecutive black-type placings including a narrow nose defeat behind King Snitz in the Caulfield Classic.

Drawn a little awkwardly but blessed with the services of an in-form Mark Zahra, Vallice should settle off the speed and be looking to launch late down the famous Flemington straight.

While he hasn’t won this preparation, his recent form reads well, he’s racing like a colt ready for the rise to 2500m, and Maher knows exactly what it takes to win this race after preparing last year’s Derby hero Observer.

He’ll need to find a length or two on his main rivals, but at the price Vallice looks a genuine value hope capable of featuring prominently in the Top 6.