Why Everyone is Talking About the Victoria Derby
The Group 1 Victoria Derby is a 2500m race for three-year-old horses that is run as part of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival. The VRC Derby is the showpiece event on Australian horse racing’s biggest race day, Derby Day, which attracts close to 100,000 spectators annually.
The Victoria Derby 2022 will be run on Saturday 29th October with total prize money of $2,000,000.
Why is the Victoria Derby so popular?
First run in 1855, The Group 1 Victoria Derby is one of the Marque events of the Spring Racing Carnival and is run on the first Saturday of the Flemington Melbourne Cup Carnival. The 2500 metres of the Victoria Derby provides a test for up-and-coming stayers and is the first opportunity to see three-year-olds step out over the classic distance of 2500 metres. The distance and quality of the field make the Victoria Derby trophy a highly sought-after prize for jockeys, trainers and owners alike. The Victoria Derby is one of the most prestigious events on the Australian racing calendar.
Past Winners of the Victoria Derby
The race has been won by a number of the legends of the turf including TOBIN BRONZE, TULLOCH and PHAR LAP. EFFICIENT went on to win the Melbourne Cup in 2007 after winning the Derby in 2006.
Legendary trainer Bart Cummings has trained the Victoria Derby winner seven times but he is not the most successful trainer. That honour belongs to James Scobie who was victorious eight times in the early 1900s. Jockey Damien Oliver has ridden the winner of the Derby six times with John Allen steering the winner in two of the last four years. enjoyed success on five occasions.
Betting On The Victoria Derby
Favourites have a poor record in the Derby in recent years , with only three winning in the last 15 years. Last year’s winner HITOTSU ($4) was the first favourite to win in six years much to the delight and relief of punters.
The Derby is a difficult race to win for a number of reasons. All the horses have never raced over a distance as long as 2500m in the past and some will relish the step up in journey, while others are found wanting in the long Flemington straight. The race also provides a challenge for the jockeys, who need to conserve all their horse’s energy before the home straight. Trainers are also under pressure, with their gallopers needing to be at peak fitness for the race. This is why the race is so exciting.
The Caulfield Guineas, Caulfield Classic, Geelong Classic and the Moonee Valley Vase provide the best form line in the weeks leading up to the running of the Victorian Derby. Astute punters will find horses who are strong to the line in these races and follow them in the VRC Derby.
2022 Victoria Derby Predictions & Odds
With the horses stretching out to the longer 2500m trip for the first time, the Victoria Derby can be a tough race to analyse. Which horses will relish the distance and attack the line? Who will be found wanting in the home straight?
The Palmerbet blog provides a detailed analysis of all Group 1 racing and up-to-date betting markets for the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival including the Victoria Derby odds. BERKELEY SQUARE is a clear favourite in early markets and will have the benefit of leading jockey Craig Williams during his Spring campaign. He looks hard to beat.
Visit the Palmerbet Blog for all your Victoria Derby betting tips and download the Palmerbet App for the latest Victoria Derby odds.