PENFOLDS VICTORIA DERBY
Results
The G1 Victoria Derby. It looks an open race. EL CASTELLO (1) comes here on the quick backup having won the G1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick last week. He's given no indication he won't run a strong 2500m, he just needs a good ride early from the draw. If he doesn't fire, something at big odds wouldn't shock. OXFORD BLUE (14) is one of those. He was backed off the map to win the Geelong Classic and looked to be outsprinted when racing on a slow speed. Have a feeling he'll relish a proper test, as will SCARY (13). He ran on strongly over 1800m here in the Super Impose two back before copping a farcical tempo in the Caulfield Classic. Happy to forgive that. KEENELAND (3) won the Super Impose nicely before a narrow defeat at Caulfield. No knocks. RED ACES (2) got the job done last week at Moonee Valley and should appreciate the trip on the quick backup.
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Form hard to fault. Last start favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a long-neck at Randwick G1 Champion October 26 over 2000m defeating Henlein carrying 56.5kg at $3. Before that favourite; won by 1.75 len at Rosehill G3 Gloaming October 12 over 1800m defeating Swiftfalcon with 56.5kg at $6.50. If he runs the trip strongly he'll just about win.
Recent form sound. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by a neck at Moonee Valley G2 Vase October 26 over 2040m defeating Opening Address carrying 57kg at $3. The race before that made ground from midfield; 2nd of 10 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 5 over 1800m, 1.3 len behind Keeneland with 57.5kg at $11. Got the job done last week and should relish the 2500m.
Going well. At the latest run 3rd in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; neck behind Kingofwallstreet carrying 57kg at $2.10. Before that favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.3 len at this track LR Super Impose October 5 over 1800m defeating Red Aces carrying 57kg at $7.50. Near miss last start. Comes through all the right races.
Racing well. At the latest run favourite; came from midfield and won by 2.25 len at Morphettville LR Hill Smith October 19 over 1800m defeating Cavity Bay carrying 57kg at $1.50. The start before that 2nd in a small field at Morphettville 3yo Bm68 on October 5 over 1600m, 0.5 len behind Athanatos carrying 57kg at $2.50. Wouldn't shock if he measured right up.
Chasing a hat-trick. At the latest run won by 1.75 len at Geelong LR Geel Clsc October 23 over 2200m defeating Hot Too Go with 57kg at $13. The race before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by 1.75 len at Goulburn Mdn October 8 over 1600m defeating Aranese carrying 58kg at $2.40. Looked smart last time, must respect stable.
Form hard to fault. At the latest run won by a nose at Caulfield G3 N Robinson October 19 over 2000m in soft going defeating China Sea carrying 57kg at $8.50. The run before that 2nd of 13 at this track 3yo C&G-Swp on September 22 over 1800m, long-neck behind Stylish Secret with 56kg at $26. Key chance capable of going on with it.
Recent form sound. At the latest run 4th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 26 over 2040m, 3 len behind Red Aces with 57kg at $4.50. The race before that won by 3.5 len at Ballarat Mdn-Sw October 3 over 2000m defeating Bubbling with 57kg at $1.40. The rise in trip should suit.
Useful type. Most recently 3rd of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 26 over 2040m, neck behind Red Aces carrying 57kg at $3.80. The race before that got back early 7th of 12 at Kembla Grange Bm64 on October 12 over 1600m, 6 len behind Zenmaster with 57kg at $2.50. Strong late last week, looks primed.
At the latest run 5th of 12 at Rosehill in the G3 Gloaming on October 12 over 1800m, 3.5 len behind El Castello with 56.5kg at $5. The run before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; scored a big 3.5 len win at Kembla Grange Cl1-Sw September 28 over 2000m on a heavy track defeating War Ribbon with 57.5kg at $1.80. Good effort last time, has claims.
At the latest run from last on the turn 6th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 26 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind Red Aces with 57kg at $26. The run before that ran last in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; 14 len behind Kingofwallstreet carrying 57kg at $26. Meets a tough line-up and prefer others.
Useful gelding. Last start 2nd in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; nose behind Kingofwallstreet with 57kg at $9. Before that 6th of 9 at Randwick in the LR Dulcify on October 5 over 1600m, 6 len behind Swiftfalcon with 56.5kg at $9. Has each way claims.
Last start held ground to the line 2nd of 10 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, 1.75 len behind Saint Emilion carrying 57kg at $4. Before that rolled along in front then was edged out late 2nd of 14 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on October 13 over 1600m, neck behind Cavalry Man with 57kg at $2.50. Each way hope.
Last start second last in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Kingofwallstreet carrying 57kg at $5. The run before that 3rd of 10 at this track in the LR Super Impose on October 5 over 1800m, 2 len behind Keeneland with 57kg at $4. The run two back has him in the mix at odds.
Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 10 at Geelong in the LR Geel Clsc on October 23 over 2200m, 1.75 len behind Saint Emilion carrying 57kg at $2.10. The race before that favourite; won by 2 len at Sale Mdn-Sw October 9 over 1740m defeating Hot Majesty with 57kg at $2.50. Was heavily backed last time and will relish a strongly run 2500m.
Most recently 4th in a small field at Caulfield in the G3 N Robinson on October 19 over 2000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Kingofwallstreet carrying 57kg at $26. The run before that won by a nose at Kembla Grange Super Mdn-Sw October 3 over 1400m on a heavy track defeating Bush Girl with 54.5kg at $4.50. Others seem to have his measure.
Most recently 5th of 9 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Vase on October 26 over 2040m, 3 len behind Red Aces with 57kg at $61. The race before that held ground to the line 3rd of 14 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on October 13 over 1600m, 5.5 len behind Cavalry Man with 57kg at $11. Will need to do a bit more.
Last start favourite; scored a big 4 len win at Newcastle Cl1-Sw October 19 over 2260m on a soft track defeating Impunity carrying 55.5kg at $1.80. The start before that 2nd of 12 at Kembla Grange Cl1-Sw on September 28 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Tenbury Wells with 55.5kg at $5.50. On the up, keep safe.
At the latest run 4th of 10 at Morphettville in the LR Hill Smith on October 19 over 1800m, 5 len behind Goldrush Guru carrying 57kg at $21. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 14 at Wangaratta Mdn-Sw on October 8 over 1400m, head behind Pammukale carrying 57kg at $12. Others rate better this time.