PENFOLDS VICTORIA DERBY
Results
RIFF ROCKET (4) clearly on top. He was electric winning the Listed Super Impose here over 1800m two back, then found himself in a farcical race when beaten at $1.28 at Caulfield. Tipping he bounces back strongly here from a good draw. APULIA (1) will line up for his third run in three weeks but isn't showing any signs of it, winning the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley last week and looking strong late. Should have no issue with 2500m and looks the main danger. GATES (8) had no hope in the Caulfield Classic last start off such a slow tempo. He looks a proper stayer and a much improved run is on the cards. SUNSETS (5) walked them along in that race but did show fight when challenged by Riff Rocket. Has to be some chance. VERDAD (2) looks a query at 2500m but is coming through the right races.
Visit TAB.COM.AURIFF ROCKET (4) clearly on top. He was electric winning the Listed Super Impose here over 1800m two back, then found himself in a farcical race when beaten at $1.28 at Caulfield. Tipping he bounces back strongly here from a good draw. APULIA (1) will line up for his third run in three weeks but isn't showing any signs of it, winning the G2 Vase at Moonee Valley last week and looking strong late. Should have no issue with 2500m and looks the main danger. GATES (8) had no hope in the Caulfield Classic last start off such a slow tempo. He looks a proper stayer and a much improved run is on the cards. SUNSETS (5) walked them along in that race but did show fight when challenged by Riff Rocket. Has to be some chance. VERDAD (2) looks a query at 2500m but is coming through the right races.
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Group 2 winner. Going well. At the latest run won by 2 len at Moonee Valley G2 Vase October 28 over 2040m defeating Verdad carrying 57kg at $4. Before that eased back early on 4th of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, 2.75 len behind Sunsets with 57kg at $17. Good win last week and will stay.
Multiple Group 2 placegetter. Useful type. At the latest run led but faded 2nd of 8 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 28 over 2040m, 2 len behind Apulia with 57kg at $2.40. Before that 6th of 15 at Caulfield in the G1 Caul Guineas on October 14 over 1600m, 4.5 len behind Griff with 57kg at $21. Solid last time although 2500m is a query.
Group 3 winner. Recent form sound. At the latest run sat on the pace when 3rd of 8 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 28 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind Apulia with 57kg at $4.50. The race before that scored a big 3.5 len win at Morphettville LR Hill Smith October 14 over 1800m defeating Diamonds Choice carrying 57kg at $3. Okay last time but would need to improve.
Group 3 placegetter. Going well. Most recently came from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, nose behind Sunsets with 57kg at $1.30. The run before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 5.5 len at this track LR Super Impose October 7 over 1800m on a rain affected track defeating Sunsource with 57kg at $4. Forgive last time, his win prior was outstanding. The one to beat.
Group 3 winner. Going well. Most recently won by a nose at Caulfield G3 N Robinson October 21 over 2000m defeating Riff Rocket with 57kg at $16. The start before that 4th of 15 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 7 over 1800m, slow going 6 len behind Riff Rocket with 57kg at $12. Led and won last time, has to be included here.
Group 3 placegetter. Last start 2nd of 7 at Kembla Grange Cl1-Sw on October 21 over 2000m, 1.3 len behind Aethelflaed with 55kg at $1.30. Before that 7th of 15 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 7 over 1800m, slow going 7 len behind Riff Rocket with 57kg at $26. Cannot be ruled out.
At the latest run sat on the speed and boxed on steadily second last of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, 6 len behind Sunsets with 57kg at $6. The race before that came from midfield and won by a long-neck at this track 3yo C&G-Swp September 24 over 1800m defeating Sunsets carrying 57kg at $6.50. Needs to improve.
Group 3 placegetter. Third-up today. First-up came from midfield and won by 0.8 len at Sandown-Hillside 3yo Mdn-Sw September 20 over 1500m defeating Binotto with 58kg at $8. Second run from a spell came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, 2.5 len behind Sunsets carrying 57kg at $26. Looks suited rising in trip, a big run wouldn't surprise.
Useful type. Last start 3rd of 7 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 25 over 2200m, 2.5 len behind Served Cold with 57kg at $9.50. Before that 13th of 15 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 7 over 1800m, on a slow track; 12 len behind Riff Rocket with 57kg at $14. Sure to be about the money.
Useful type. Last start 4th of 8 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 28 over 2040m, 6 len behind Apulia with 57kg at $26. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 15 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 7 over 1800m, slow going 7 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 57kg at $101. Easily accounted for last time out but this suits.
At the latest run 4th of 7 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 25 over 2200m, 2.5 len behind Served Cold carrying 57kg at $9. The run before that won by 1.0 len at Kyneton Mdn-Sw October 12 over 1860m defeating It's My Party carrying 57kg at $1.30. Doesn't pose too much of a threat.
Last start favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a long-neck at Kilmore 0 - 64 October 17 over 2000m defeating Reservoir Dog carrying 56.5kg at $3.50. The run before that favourite; scored a big 4 len win at Tatura Mdn-Sw September 23 over 1980m on a rain affected track defeating Ariana Blue carrying 57kg at $1.60. Prefer to watch at this stage.
At the latest run took up a position near the tail 2nd of 11 at Ballarat Bm64 on October 15 over 2000m, slow going 3 len behind Tommy with 56.5kg at $13. The race before that came from midfield and won by a head at Ballarat Mdn-Sw September 22 over 2000m defeating Splendid Chap carrying 57kg at $61. Doesn't rate well enough.
Most recently with blinkers first time; ran last of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, 8 len behind Sunsets with 57kg at $21. Before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Pakenham Synthetic Mdn-Sw October 4 over 1600m defeating Tolerance with 57kg at $1.30. Not among the main chances.
Last start favourite; won by 2.25 len at Scone Cl1-Sw October 27 over 2200m on a rain affected track defeating Ten Downing Street carrying 55kg at $2.80. Before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 7 at Newcastle Cl1-Sw on October 14 over 2300m, 1.5 len behind Forum One carrying 55kg at $1.80. Needs to find several lengths to threaten.
Last start couldn't go on with it; 5th of 7 at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 21 over 2000m, 6 len behind Sunsets carrying 57kg at $67. Before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 7 at Hawkesbury Mdn on October 8 over 1600m, neck behind Riley Park with 58kg at $4.50. Looks tested again.
