2500 metres is a long way and the gruelling last furlong frequently undoes some of the better horses, leaving the grinders to fight out the finish so let’s take a look at the pedigrees in the search for roughies to challenge the favourites.
1/ Sacred Elixir (NZ) (3g Pour Moi (IRE) x Baltika, by Stravinsky (USA) – Deserving favourite that comes into the race in top form with a good gate and top rider in Zac Purton.
Bred to be a Derby horse being by an Epsom Derby winning son on of Montjeu from
a grand-daughter of NZ Horse of the Year Horlicks. This is also the family of
Melbourne Cup winner Brew and Australian Derby hero Fiumiciuno, so if he gets
beaten it won’t be lack of pedigree stopping him!
2/ Prized Icon (3c More Than Ready (USA) x Tropical Affair, by Danehill (USA) – Won the Group I ATC Champagne
Stakes at 1600 m and has been racing consistently
against the best three year-olds including a third to Cox Plate place-getter
Yankee Rose in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes.
From a female family more noted for speed, but More Than Ready has already sired a Victoria Derby winner in Benicio that was bred along very similar lines to Prized Icon and combined with the Cummings magic he could easily be a knockout horse.
3/ Swear (3c Redoute’s Choice x Crossyourheart, by Show a Heart) – Lightly raced with just two wins from four starts and a second to Yankee Rose in the Spring Champion is first class form.
Connections keep saying he’s a stayer, but pedigree says otherwise, first three dams are by Show a Heart, Centaine and Red Tempo, all sprinter/milers. His dam Crossyourheart was a brilliant juvenile that won six races to 1200m and the best horse in his family is HK International Sprint winner All Thrills Too. Make of that what you will, maybe just look at the formguide!
4/ Rocketeer (3g Smart Missile x Some Girls Do, by More Than Ready (USA) – Second at his past four runs, the last two in good stakes company over increasing distances of 1800 and 2000m.
From the first crop of a brilliant 2YO in Smart Missile, so not much stamina there and female family little help either with all stakes-winners on the page sprinters apart from Rebecca Gay, who won the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes at 1600m, but then ran last in the VRC Oaks. Hard to think 2500m will bring out his best.
5/ Morvada (3g Mossman x Carnegie Minstrel (NZ), by Carnegie (IRE) – Hasn’t missed a place this preparation and stakes-placed last two in good company over increasing distances so has had a good grounding.
Sire has left an NZ Oaks winner and first two dams are by classic sires Carnegie and Palace Music, while further back we find NZ Derby winner Zonda and high class stayer Magnolia Hall, who was placed in a Melbourne Cup. Bred to keep grinding away.
6/ Inference (3c So You Think x Pontiana, by Redoute’s Choice) – Has been finding the line strongly in each start this preparation and does give the impression a bigger track will suit.
By the great champion So You Think, who stayed well enough to be third in a Melbourne Cup and has a quality female family that features Sir Tristram, always a positive in these types of races, despite the fact his dam only won to 1200m. Factor in a double cross of the mighty Epsom Derby winner Nijinsky and he's a winning hope although gate no help.
7 Captain Duffy (3g King Cugat (USA) x Miss Encosta, by Encosta de Lago) – Ran the 2200 m of the Geelong Classic out strongly to score a brave win at long odds and drawn well here.
By an unfashionable sire, whose best offspring Devil Moon won the Group I VRC Turnbull Stakes at 2000m from a daughter of champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago. The stakes-winners in this family aside from Captain Duffy are sprinters, but you can only go on what you see and he’s a trier, you have to give him that!
8/ Silvera (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x Silver Tiara, by Ferocity) – Two wins from four starts including a stakes-win at Morphettville over 1600m.
By an outstanding sire of classic 3YO’s and is a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group I Australian Derby winner Shoot Out, who was ultimately at his best over 1600m. Good trainer and jockey, Tony McEvoy and Kerrin McEvoy, but can’t help thinking he might be better at a slightly shorter trip given the speed from his dam-sire Ferocity.
9/ Wine Bush (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x Vinavion, by Flying Spur) – Broke his maiden winning for the powerful Chris Waller stable in the Listed VRC UCI Stakes over 1800 m and last start fifth in the Group III Caulfield Classic at 2000m.
Another colt by classic sire High Chaparral and is from a grand-daughter of NZ Champion 3YO Filly Burletta, a winner up to 2000m, but first two dams are by Flying Spur and Marauding, not noted stamina influences, so again am somewhat skeptical that this High Chap will stay all day.
10/ So Si Bon (3c So You Think x Black Minx, by Lonhro) – Has had a good grounding and keeps finding the line, notably when third last Saturday in the Group II MVRC Super Vase over 2040 metres.
Second of two runners for So You Think, the best son of High Chaparral. Dam was a speedy stakes-winning daughter of Lonhro and next dam Faith Hill a Group II winner up to a mile by Danehill. Black Minx might have been quick, but she does have a 4 x 4 double cross of Sir Tristram and when we are talking Derbies that might kick in when needed for So Si Bon.
11/ Kent (3g Domesday x Malbun, by Commands) - One win at Canterbury over 1550m from seven starts and has not threatened in stakes company.
Sire has left the odd stayer including this year’s WATC Derby winner Arcadia Dream, but dam won at 1100 metres and is from a sister to Golden Slipper winner Guineas, so hard to think pedigree is a plus here.
12/ Highlad (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x My Lady’s Chamber, by Arena) – Two wins (in NZ) from four starts, good effort at Flemington over 1800m and then off the track from wide gate at Caulfield at 2000m, so no guide there, but from top Kiwi stable and has Craig Williams to ride.
One of three in the race by High Chap and is from a fast stakes-winning mare in My Lady’s Chamber who was second in a Group I Flight Stakes. The female family is generally sprinter milers, but you have to take into account sire of the dam Arena, who was a staying son of Danehill that won the Victoria Derby in 1998. Shame it’s not wet as Highlad may have jumped right out of the ground in the mud.
13/ Beach Life (3g Hinchinbrook x Yarranabbee, by Encosta de Lago) – One win over 1500m at Mornington and not hopeless last start fourth in Group III Caulfield Classic over 2000m.
By a good young sire, whose offspring to date have largely been sprinter milers and not much in the female family to suggest marathon trip is his forte although he does have a half-brother that has won to 2200m in Queensland.
14/ Tumultuous (3c Fastnet Rock x Boisterous Lady, by Rivotious (USA) – One win over 1400m at Kembla from eight starts and has been OK in three attempts at stakes company over increasing journeys albeit racing without a lot of luck.
By a champion sire that can get the classic horses and has the pedigree to put him right in the mix as he is a sibling to Group I Australian Oaks winner Rena’s Lady and Group II winning stayer Vatuvei.
15/ Hollywood Mo (3c Uncle Mo (USA) x Coral Reef ,by Galileo) – Still a maiden after seven starts, but chased hard for second in the Geelong Classic over 2200m.
Combines the blood of two of the best sires in the world, Uncle Mo a Champion 2YO, who sired this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Galileo, who had the trifecta in this year’s Arc de Triomphe. If Uncle Mo is going to get a stayer here in Australia it could easily be this horse, whose dam is a grand-daughter of Irish Oaks winner Knight’s Baroness.
16/ All Out of Love (3c All American x Latest Love, by Favorite Trick (USA) – One win in seven starts over 1400m at Pakenham and was stakes-placed at Flemington over 1600m in July, but three spring runs in stakes class have been nothing to get excited about.
By the sire of Yankee Rose, who will be a short priced favourite in the VRC Oaks next week and comes from the same Kiwi family as another Derby contender Wine Bush being from a daughter of Love de Tor, a Group I winner up to a mile. Can’t say I’m feeling the love!
2/ Prized Icon (3c More Than Ready (USA) x Tropical Affair, by Danehill (USA) – Won the Group I ATC Champagne
Stakes at 1600 m and has been racing consistently
against the best three year-olds including a third to Cox Plate place-getter
Yankee Rose in the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes.From a female family more noted for speed, but More Than Ready has already sired a Victoria Derby winner in Benicio that was bred along very similar lines to Prized Icon and combined with the Cummings magic he could easily be a knockout horse.
3/ Swear (3c Redoute’s Choice x Crossyourheart, by Show a Heart) – Lightly raced with just two wins from four starts and a second to Yankee Rose in the Spring Champion is first class form.
Connections keep saying he’s a stayer, but pedigree says otherwise, first three dams are by Show a Heart, Centaine and Red Tempo, all sprinter/milers. His dam Crossyourheart was a brilliant juvenile that won six races to 1200m and the best horse in his family is HK International Sprint winner All Thrills Too. Make of that what you will, maybe just look at the formguide!
4/ Rocketeer (3g Smart Missile x Some Girls Do, by More Than Ready (USA) – Second at his past four runs, the last two in good stakes company over increasing distances of 1800 and 2000m.
From the first crop of a brilliant 2YO in Smart Missile, so not much stamina there and female family little help either with all stakes-winners on the page sprinters apart from Rebecca Gay, who won the Group II VRC Edward Manifold Stakes at 1600m, but then ran last in the VRC Oaks. Hard to think 2500m will bring out his best.
5/ Morvada (3g Mossman x Carnegie Minstrel (NZ), by Carnegie (IRE) – Hasn’t missed a place this preparation and stakes-placed last two in good company over increasing distances so has had a good grounding.
Sire has left an NZ Oaks winner and first two dams are by classic sires Carnegie and Palace Music, while further back we find NZ Derby winner Zonda and high class stayer Magnolia Hall, who was placed in a Melbourne Cup. Bred to keep grinding away.
6/ Inference (3c So You Think x Pontiana, by Redoute’s Choice) – Has been finding the line strongly in each start this preparation and does give the impression a bigger track will suit.
By the great champion So You Think, who stayed well enough to be third in a Melbourne Cup and has a quality female family that features Sir Tristram, always a positive in these types of races, despite the fact his dam only won to 1200m. Factor in a double cross of the mighty Epsom Derby winner Nijinsky and he's a winning hope although gate no help.
7 Captain Duffy (3g King Cugat (USA) x Miss Encosta, by Encosta de Lago) – Ran the 2200 m of the Geelong Classic out strongly to score a brave win at long odds and drawn well here.
By an unfashionable sire, whose best offspring Devil Moon won the Group I VRC Turnbull Stakes at 2000m from a daughter of champion broodmare sire Encosta de Lago. The stakes-winners in this family aside from Captain Duffy are sprinters, but you can only go on what you see and he’s a trier, you have to give him that!
8/ Silvera (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x Silver Tiara, by Ferocity) – Two wins from four starts including a stakes-win at Morphettville over 1600m.
By an outstanding sire of classic 3YO’s and is a three-quarter brother-in-blood to Group I Australian Derby winner Shoot Out, who was ultimately at his best over 1600m. Good trainer and jockey, Tony McEvoy and Kerrin McEvoy, but can’t help thinking he might be better at a slightly shorter trip given the speed from his dam-sire Ferocity.
9/ Wine Bush (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x Vinavion, by Flying Spur) – Broke his maiden winning for the powerful Chris Waller stable in the Listed VRC UCI Stakes over 1800 m and last start fifth in the Group III Caulfield Classic at 2000m.
Another colt by classic sire High Chaparral and is from a grand-daughter of NZ Champion 3YO Filly Burletta, a winner up to 2000m, but first two dams are by Flying Spur and Marauding, not noted stamina influences, so again am somewhat skeptical that this High Chap will stay all day.
10/ So Si Bon (3c So You Think x Black Minx, by Lonhro) – Has had a good grounding and keeps finding the line, notably when third last Saturday in the Group II MVRC Super Vase over 2040 metres.
Second of two runners for So You Think, the best son of High Chaparral. Dam was a speedy stakes-winning daughter of Lonhro and next dam Faith Hill a Group II winner up to a mile by Danehill. Black Minx might have been quick, but she does have a 4 x 4 double cross of Sir Tristram and when we are talking Derbies that might kick in when needed for So Si Bon.
11/ Kent (3g Domesday x Malbun, by Commands) - One win at Canterbury over 1550m from seven starts and has not threatened in stakes company.
Sire has left the odd stayer including this year’s WATC Derby winner Arcadia Dream, but dam won at 1100 metres and is from a sister to Golden Slipper winner Guineas, so hard to think pedigree is a plus here.
12/ Highlad (3c High Chaparral (IRE) x My Lady’s Chamber, by Arena) – Two wins (in NZ) from four starts, good effort at Flemington over 1800m and then off the track from wide gate at Caulfield at 2000m, so no guide there, but from top Kiwi stable and has Craig Williams to ride.
One of three in the race by High Chap and is from a fast stakes-winning mare in My Lady’s Chamber who was second in a Group I Flight Stakes. The female family is generally sprinter milers, but you have to take into account sire of the dam Arena, who was a staying son of Danehill that won the Victoria Derby in 1998. Shame it’s not wet as Highlad may have jumped right out of the ground in the mud.
13/ Beach Life (3g Hinchinbrook x Yarranabbee, by Encosta de Lago) – One win over 1500m at Mornington and not hopeless last start fourth in Group III Caulfield Classic over 2000m.
By a good young sire, whose offspring to date have largely been sprinter milers and not much in the female family to suggest marathon trip is his forte although he does have a half-brother that has won to 2200m in Queensland.
14/ Tumultuous (3c Fastnet Rock x Boisterous Lady, by Rivotious (USA) – One win over 1400m at Kembla from eight starts and has been OK in three attempts at stakes company over increasing journeys albeit racing without a lot of luck.
By a champion sire that can get the classic horses and has the pedigree to put him right in the mix as he is a sibling to Group I Australian Oaks winner Rena’s Lady and Group II winning stayer Vatuvei.
15/ Hollywood Mo (3c Uncle Mo (USA) x Coral Reef ,by Galileo) – Still a maiden after seven starts, but chased hard for second in the Geelong Classic over 2200m.
Combines the blood of two of the best sires in the world, Uncle Mo a Champion 2YO, who sired this year’s Kentucky Derby winner Nyquist and Galileo, who had the trifecta in this year’s Arc de Triomphe. If Uncle Mo is going to get a stayer here in Australia it could easily be this horse, whose dam is a grand-daughter of Irish Oaks winner Knight’s Baroness.
16/ All Out of Love (3c All American x Latest Love, by Favorite Trick (USA) – One win in seven starts over 1400m at Pakenham and was stakes-placed at Flemington over 1600m in July, but three spring runs in stakes class have been nothing to get excited about.
By the sire of Yankee Rose, who will be a short priced favourite in the VRC Oaks next week and comes from the same Kiwi family as another Derby contender Wine Bush being from a daughter of Love de Tor, a Group I winner up to a mile. Can’t say I’m feeling the love!
