Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted November 1, 2023 Journalists Share Posted November 1, 2023 VRC Derby favourite Riff Rocket. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos) A capacity field of 16 three-year-olds will step out at Flemington this Saturday in the Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m). Riff Rocket has been the long-standing favourite for the $2 million feature since destroying his rivals in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m), and despite being nosed out in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) at his latest start, still maintains firm favouritism. The Chris Waller-trained gelding opened +160 with online bookmakers after drawing perfectly in barrier five for Saturday’s staying contest. Apulia is clear on the second line of betting at +300 and will be searching for back-to-back wins after saluting in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) last Saturday. Mark Zahra elects to stick aboard the colt by Fiorente and will jump from barrier three. Verdad (+550) will be looking to turn the tables on Apulia on the one-week back up and will be aided in his quest from barrier four. It is double-figure odds for every other runner engaged here, suggesting the VRC Derby may be a top-heavy affair. Air Assault (+1000) will be partnered by Ben Allen for the first time, while John Allen will continue his association with Sunsets ($14.00) after steering him to victory in the Caulfield Classic. The 2023 VRC Derby is the second leg of the Flemington quaddie on Saturday and is set to get underway at 4.20pm AEDT. 2023 Victoria Derby Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight 1 Apulia Ben, Will & JD Hayes Mark Zahra 3 57kg 2 Verdad Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock Jye McNeil 4 57kg 3 Air Assault Andrew Gluyas Ben Allen 6 57kg 4 Riff Rocket Chris Waller James McDonald 5 57kg 5 Sunsets Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young John Allen 16 57kg 6 Make A Call Peter & Paul Snowden Jamie Kah 15 57kg 7 Gold Bullion Gai Waterhouse & Jamie Kah Opie Bosson 13 57kg 8 Gates Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman Luke Nolen 14 57kg 9 Kosgei Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Blake Shinn 12 57kg 10 Bulawayo Pat Carey & Harris Walker Celine Gaudray 7 57kg 11 Sacred Eagle Symon Wilde Jordan Childs 2 57kg 12 Roguery Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans Billy Egan 1 57kg 13 Mercante Nigel Blackiston Damien Oliver 11 57kg 14 To Be Frank Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jamie Spencer 10 57kg 15 Warialda Warrior John Ramsey Darryl McLellan 9 57kg 16 Tokyo Run Dean Mirfin Declan Bates 8 57kg More racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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