Yesterday the 2011 Australian Derby nominations were released with 72 horses making up the early entries for the $1.5 million race set to run at Randwick on April 9 as part of the elite Group 1 action of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.

The $1.5 million Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m) is one of the richest races for three-year-olds during the season and this year with be the 150^th anniversary of the event.

has drawn a star-studded list of nominees including a last weekend’s Australian Guineas champion Shamrocker.

Among the early favourites in the AJC Derby nominations, the Danny O’Brien-trained filly Shamrocker cause an upset 2011 Australian Guineas result last Saturday, March 5 at Flemington.

Going out as a $31 roughie, last year’s 2010 Crown Oaks runner-up Shamrocker stormed home to defeat Bullbars by 1 ¾ lengths while consistent Ascot galloper Playing God came in third.

Neville Parnham’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God has also been nominated for the Australian Derby next month, connections reportedly impressed with their first effort outside of WA in the Guineas.

Other Top 2011 Australian Derby Nominations Include:

• Anacheeva (Michael Moroney) – Winner of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last spring, most recently placed sixth in the Australian Guineas
• Brazilian Pulse (Michael Moroney) – Talented Captain Rio filly scored victory in the Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington last Melbourne Cup Carnival
• Shootoff (Graeme Rogerson) – Lightly-raced Duelled gelding was third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last preparation
• Masquerader (David Payne) – Lucky Owners colt placed third in the 2010 Caulfield Guineas, recently ran a game fourth in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m)
• Pressday (Chris Waller) – Domesday colt, Group 1 winner in the T.J. Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm last winter and also took out the Group 2 Sandown Guineas during the spring
• Retrieve (Peter Snowden) – Last year’s Victoria Derby third placegetter, resumed this season with a first-up second in the Hobartville Stakes
• Rockstardom (Danny O’Brien) – Makybe Diva’s first foal adds interest to the list of entries
• Lights Of Heaven (Peter Moody) – Zabeel filly unbeaten in three starts including her victory in the Group 2 Fillies Classic (1600m) at Moonee Valley on March 4

Early nominations for the $500,000 AJC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m), the two-year-olds race also set to run at Randwick on April 9, were taken yesterday as well with 112 entries.

Meanwhile, 94 three-year-old fillies were nominated for the $550,000 Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) set to run on Doncaster Mile Day at Randwick, Saturday April 16.

The 2011 AJC Australian Derby final field of acceptors will be declared on Wednesday April 6 and published here at Races.com.au along with the barrier draw, form guide and our insider Derby betting tips.

Futures betting on all these upcoming Group 1 autumn features are set to open at leading online bookmaker Luxbet shortly so now is the time to open your Luxbet account and be the first to access the generous early odds.

2011 David Jones AJC Australian Derby Nominations