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The staying test of the spring belonged to Stormy Marco, with the talented Chris Waller-trained colt delivering on a long-held plan to capture the 2026 Victoria Derby results at Flemington on Saturday.

Sent out the $4.40 favourite in the Group 1 $3 million Victoria Derby (2500m), the son of Wootton Bassett justified the confidence of connections, producing a powerful turn of foot under superstar jockey James McDonald to defeat rank outsider Cold Shower by two lengths, while filly Quick Finish added further merit to her remarkable campaign with a brave third-place finish against the boys.

The victory handed Stormy Marco his second career win and delivered one of Australia’s most coveted three-year-old staying prizes to the powerful Waller stable.

Stormy Marco was Waller’s fourth VRC Derby winner since 2013 adding to his previous successes with Preferment (2014), Manzoice (2022) and Riff Rocket (2023) who was also ridden by J-Mac.

2026 Victoria Derby Results

?? Stormy Marco storms home in the G1 Victoria Derby, and it's another G1 to team @mcacajamez – @cwallerracing! @FlemingtonVRC pic.twitter.com/NtC4Zjdhzd

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 31, 2026

Derby Dream Realised for Long-Term Project

Speaking on behalf of the stable, Charlie Duckworth revealed the Victoria Derby had been the colt’s objective virtually from the moment he stepped onto a racetrack.

“Pretty much since his first run. Based on the fact that the ownership is obviously the same as Tron Bolt. Tron Bolt was always Guineas bound. So, we had to try and split the two colts for Hermitage,” he told Racing Victoria.

“The Derby was the plan. They obviously won the Hong Kong Derby with an ex-horse of ours, Cap Ferrat, they race competitively up there and down here. It has been a long-term plan.”

While Stormy Marco had shown high-class ability throughout his campaign, Duckworth admitted connections initially thought he might be capable of taking out the Spring Champion Stakes.

“I think we were all a little bit, we thought he would be brilliant enough to win a Spring Champion,” he said.

“He just got on the bridle a little bit too much and he didn’t have that turn of foot that we thought he would have over 2000 but there was no reason not to back him up today and you’ve got James on board.

“We’re drawn out wide but at least we’ve got James, it’s like drawing midfield then.”

Derby Victory a Special Moment

For the English-born Duckworth, the success carried extra significance.

“It’s a massive thrill. I know the Derby gets a bit of criticism but being a pom, the Derby is everything,” he said.

“So, I actually quite like the fact that Chris goes to the Golden Eagle, and I get to go and do the Derby because it means way more to me than a Golden Eagle.”

The stable representative was also quick to acknowledge the ownership group and everyone behind the colt’s preparation.

“Awesome, awesome for the Hermitage, awesome for Shannon who does an amazing job managing all their horses,” Duckworth added.

“She cops a lot of pressure all the time because she’s lucky enough to have some incredible horses and he’s just another one to add to the string.”

Raceday Stormy Marco Different to Home Version

Duckworth revealed one of the colt’s quirks is the contrast between his relaxed demeanour at home and his enthusiasm on race day.

“It’s funny because, the fact that he overraced last start, he can get on the bridle, you just wouldn’t believe it if you met him at home,” he explained.

“It’s like meeting someone at home and then meeting them in the pub. They’re two different people sometimes, and that’s him.

“He gets here and he goes, ‘Oh, it’s race day, I’m going to get up and I’m going to travel.’”

At home, however, the colt gives every impression of being an even stronger staying prospect.

“Whereas at home, you’d just think, well, you could run him in the Melbourne Cup,” he said.

“He’d just travel along behind them, wouldn’t touch the bit.

“But race day he knows he’s here and the adrenaline obviously gets into him a bit.

“So obviously we can only train off what we see at home, so we see the quiet man that he is, but he obviously comes alive on these big days and he’s come alive on a good day today.”

McDonald Produces Another Big-Race Masterclass

The victory continued another outstanding carnival for James McDonald, who gave the colt a beautifully judged ride from the awkward barrier.

The champion jockey was delighted with the way the race unfolded.

“I just want to keep it smooth, I want them to relax,” he said.

“Had Zahra to my inside, and he was saying, ‘sleep baby, sleep’.

“So that’s all we did, the two of us, and he had superior form.”

McDonald praised both the horse and trainer for backing up after the Spring Champion run.

“So happy Chris backed him up,” he said.

“He just knows his horses so well.

“He was here to produce a wicked turn of foot.”

The jockey even compared the feeling aboard Stormy Marco to one of the stable’s greatest champions.

“It was just like I was on Verry Elleegant again, it was so smooth,” McDonald said.

Wide Draw Turns into Winning Advantage

While many punters considered barrier 14 a concern before the race, McDonald believed it actually assisted the favourite.

“It’s a funny thing barrier draws,” the master jockey said.

“We drew the car park, but when you’re drawing inside, you feel like you have to hold the spot.

“If this horse probably drew inside, we would have been niggling to the first corner, a little bit disorganised.”

The champion hoop also suggested Stormy Marco possesses more class and speed than the traditional Derby winner.

“I don’t think he’s like your typical VRC Derby horse, but he’s got class,” he added.

“He’s a sharp horse.

“I thought he could have been a Guineas horse, you know, so it shows the ilk we hold him in.

“He’s done a good job.”

Cold Shower Runs Brave Second

While Stormy Marco proved too strong, there was plenty of merit in the performance of Cold Shower, who produced a career-best effort at triple-figure odds.

Jockey Jett Stanley was proud of the staying colt’s effort.

“Such gallant run,” he said.

“Credit to Gai, Adrian and the whole team to get him here.

“We know he’s a true stayer.

“Unfortunately one has a turn-of-foot that he doesn’t have.

“Coming back to the line, he was going closer and closer to getting there.

“He’s a beautiful stayer and he’s got longevity in his career and hopefully he can keep kicking goals.”

Meanwhile, Jye McNeil was equally pleased with the effort of filly Quick Finish in third.

“Really proud of her effort,” McNeil said.

“She has come so far this prep and I thought she was really tenacious against the boys at the top level today.”

Stormy Marco’s dominant Derby victory not only delivered one of the highlights of Victoria Derby Day but also vindicated a long-term plan years in the making. After proving too strong over 2500 metres at Flemington, the classy colt now joins an illustrious list of Victoria Derby winners and looks set for an exciting future as his career continues to unfold.

Victoria Derby 2026 Results & Finishing Order