Following the 2014 Victoria Derby barrier draw earlier today the updated odds on the 160th edition of the three-year-olds’ clash are now out with three single figure hopes looking to win Australia’s oldest classic.
Moonee Valley Vase winner Moonovermanhattan is one of three single figure hopes in the 2014 Victoria Derby odds for Saturday. Photo: Sarah Ebbett.
Flemington Race 7 jumps at 3:45pm on Saturday and there are 16 confirmed starters plus one emergency making up the field for this year’s $1.5 million Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).
Clear favourite both pre and post-barrier draw is the Gai Waterhouse-trained Hampton Court.
Waterhouse won the 2005 Victoria Derby with Nothin’ Leica Dane and this year she’s out to do it again with a horse she describes as her best chance since.
The son of Redoute’s Choice shoots for his third on the trot after back-to-back Randwick wins in Sydney during October, the most recent of which was the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) on October 11.
Just three horses before him have completed the Spring Champion – Derby double but Hampton Court, drawn in barrier 11 with Kerrin McEvoy to ride, is the current $2.80 through Ladbrokes.com.au to be the fourth with Waterhouse predicting he will go forward on Saturday.
“When he chased the other day he was very forceful in the end,” she said live from today’s barrier draw.
“I think he’ll be thereabouts.”
Following Hampton Court in the Victoria Derby odds are then just two others under $10 for an upset result with Preferment ($5.50) and Moonovermanhattan ($9) drawn in barriers six and 12 respectively.
The Chris Waller-trained Preferment will wear winkers on Saturday with Damien Oliver in the saddle, Oliver having ridden four previous Victoria Derby winners most recently Fiveandahalfstar (2012).
Moonovermanhattan meanwhile has Craig Neiwtt in the saddle from his wide barrier, Mick Price’s Manhattan Rain colt having won from a similar barrier (11 of 11) just seven days earlier in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m).
In the Vase the winner held a strong one and three-quarter length margin over the Kiwi-trained runner-up Atmosphere who is one of the next best in Victoria Derby betting at $11.
Trent Busuttin’s Savabeel gelding may be officially based in New Zealand but all four of his career runs have been in Victoria where he’s been unlucky not to break his maiden status.
Just ahead of Atmosphere at $10 is the rails-drawn Bondeiger for jockey James Winks.
Prepared by Danny O’Brien, War Pass colt Bondeiger won two on the trot earlier this preparation before a somewhat disappointing seventh in the Vase last weekend.
He found himself getting pushed to the back of the field that day but wound up well and finished only four lengths off the winner in an effort the bookies are tipping him to improve on from a better barrier over more distance in the Derby field.
The only other hope under $20 to win through Ladbrokes.com.au is then Light Up Manhattan ($19) in gate seventh.
Ciaron Maher’s colt comes off two fourth place finishes in Melbourne this month and looks on the improve.
He was beaten six lengths by another Derby hope Magicool in the Listed UCI Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on October 4 and then just under two lengths away behind Crown Oaks-bound filly Fontein Ruby in the Group 3 Caulfield Classic (2000m) on October 18.
UCI winner Magicool for Mark Kavanagh meanwhile is out to $21 after drawing wide in barrier 16 for Glen Boss, an equal price with Caulfield Classic third placed Firehouse Rock and the Michael Kent-trained San Padre in barrier two.
Kavanagh was optimistic post-draw despite the gate hoping his horse can stay out of trouble and improve on a Caulfield Classic fifth last time out.
“He’s never run a bad race,” he said.
“Even last start he didn’t have a lot of luck.
“Tactics is an interesting one for this race.
“At least being drawn out there (in 16) we’re not going to get trapped on the fence.”
See below for the full Victoria Derby 2014 odds, fixed win prices open online now at Ladbrokes.com.au where for just $3 you could clean up with a $3 million payday thanks to their Derby Day MegaPick!
