VRC Derby

Race Details
Past Results
Betting Guide

VRC Derby

Group One Betting Guide
Date: October 31, 2020
Location: Flemington Racecourse
Prize Money: $2,000,000
Distance: 2500 metres

THE Victoria (VRC) Derby is the flagship race for three-year-olds during the Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Betting markets for the Derby are released in the months leading up to the 2500-metre feature, but some bookmakers will set a market earlier in the year.

Worth $2 million, the VRC Derby is a target race for the staying three-year-olds and Derby Day has become one of the biggest punting days of the year in Australia.

VRC Derby race details and history

The VRC Derby, held on the same day as the Golden Eagle, is raced over 2500 metres, the longest race for three-year-olds in Australia.

It carries a purse of $2 million with a $10,000 trophy and it kicks off the Melbourne Spring carnival at Flemington.

One of the oldest races in Australia, the Derby was first run in 1855 where it was won by Rose Of May.

The first three editions were won by fillies, but the last filly to win was in 1923. It has been won by horses having their first start on three occasions, but in today’s climate and race conditions, it is virtually impossible to enter the race without having had a run.

While a filly hasn’t won since 1923, the ladies have enjoyed a lot of success with jockey Clare Lindop becoming the first female jockey to win in 2005 aboard Benicio. Gai Waterhouse became the first female trainer to win the VRC Derby when Nothin’ Leica Dane won in 1995.

One of the most capped combinations in Derby history was Bobby Lewis, who won eight occasions in the early 20th century, and trainer James Scobie, who was associated with most of Lewis’s victories.

Past VRC Derby winners

The VRC Derby has been the turning point for many of Australia’s future champions.

Phar Lap won in 1929 and started a long list of champion winners which included Tulloch (1975), Dulcify (1978) and Efficient in 2006 — a year before it won the 2007 Melbourne Cup.

Recent VRC Derby winners:

Year Winner
2019 Warning
2018 Extra Brut 2017 Ace High 2016 Prized Icon
2015 Tarzino
2014 Preferment
2013 Polanski
2012 Fiveandahalfstar
2011 Sangster
2010 Lion Tamer
2009 Monaco Consul
2008 Rebel Radier
2007 Kibbutz
2006 Efficient
2005 Benicio
2004 Plastered
2003 Elvstroem
2002 Helenus
2001 Amalfi
2000 Hit The Roof
1999 Blackfriars
1998 Arena
1997 Second Coming

Recent VRC Derby Runnings

  • Warning claims $2 million Victoria Derby and in the process handed Damien Oliver his 6th VRC Derby and did it in exceptional style. He was wide the trip and up on the pace but he was certainly the superiror stayer and went on to score by over three lengths
  • Extra Brut claims Group 1 Victoria Derby in fine
  • David Payne and Tye Angland teamed up to hand the trainer his first VRC Derby after going so close in previous attempts.Ace High claims Group One Victoria Derby after he entered the home straight the widest runner on the track and built momentum to charge clear at the clock tower and proved far too strong for his rivals in the concluding stages.
  • Prized Icon gave rising star trainer James Cummings one of his career highlights when winning at double-figure odds. The More Than Ready colt showed its superior staying talent by running away with a 2.5-length victory from the front. It beat home race-favourite Sacred Elixir which had been heavily backed in the betting and the John O’Shea-trained Inference which further franked the Sydney three-year-old form. Read the full report here.
    • Tarzino had been touted as a top Derby prospect from an early age and it didn’t disappoint. The Mick Price-trained colt scored one of the most impressive Derby victories in recent history with an effortless two-length win. On a rain-affected track at Flemington, jockey Craig Newitt landed the son of Tavistock into a beautiful position before making its run around the home turn. Since the win, the form out of the race hasn’t amounted to much, but take nothing away from the classy win.
      • Damien Oliver returned to Flemington after sitting out with a suspension and he made an immediate impact. He rode the Chris Waller-trained Preferment to victory in one of the closest finishes in Derby history. The well-bred son of Zabeel edged out Bondeiger by a head to score the $1.5 million purse. Preferment would continue to race at a high level in Australia and even try its hand in the Hong Kong Vase.
      • Trainer Robbie Laing confirmed himself as one of the best staying trainers in Australia when he scored with Polanski in 2013. The three-year-old by Rakti was popular with punters at $5.20 and it did the job with ease – winning by three lengths over Complacent and Thunder Fantasy. The disappointment in the race was from favourite Savvy Nature which finished well down the track and would later be sold to Hong Kong interests.

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        Betting on the VRC Derby

        To give an idea of what the VRC Derby field will look like in future years, we’ve listed the 2014 VRC Derby market as a guide.

        The race always attracts a big field and it gives punters of every kind a chance to win. Those that like to back favourites will get their chance, but those who like outsiders will have plenty of runners to choose from.

        2014 VRC Derby market:

        1. Hampton Court $2.50
        2. Moonovermanhattan $7
        3. Prentice $301
        4. Firehouse Rock $31
        5. Magicool $16
        6. Lotion $201
        7. Nozomi $51
        8. Light Up Manhattan $31
        9. Bondeiger $11
        10. Royal Standing $51
        11. Atmosphere $10
        12. Gouldian $51
        13. Preferment $9 (winner)
        14. Cuban Fighter $61
        15. San Padre $26
        16. The Mighty Jrod $151

        Preferment was on the third line of betting, so favourite punters were happy. Bondeiger was the fifth elect for punters and provided good each-way value.

        Nozomi added some spice to multiples bettors after paying $51 to win, providing good place money and adding value to trifectas and first fours.

        Past VRC Derby payouts

        2019
        Warning $9.60/$2.40
        Southern Moon $4.40
        Soul Patch $1.70
        Quinella $73.40
        Trifecta $847.90
        First Four $7094.40
        2018
        Extra Brut $12.20/$3.70
        Stars Of Carrum $3.20
        Chapada $4.30
        Quinella $84.50
        Trifecta $2352.70
        First Four $38148.50
        2017
        Ace High $6.80/$2.80
        Sully $2.80
        Astoria $2.80
        Quinella $23.40
        Trifecta $298.60
        First Four $7352.30
        2016
        Prized Icon $17.80/$4.90
        Sacred Elixir $1.50
        Inference $3.60
        Quinella $25.20
        Trifecta $558.20
        First Four $3251.60
        2015
        Tarzino $2.90/$1.60
        Etymology $3.60
        Kia Ora Koutou $2.20
        Quinella $16.20
        Trifecta $148.20
        First Four $2475.80
        2014
        Preferment $7.10/$2.20
        Bondeiger $3.10
        Nozomi $7.40
        Quinella $32.30
        Trifecta $1465.10
        First Four $19338.40
        2013
        Polanski $5.20/$2
        Complacent $2.60
        Thunder Fantasy $9.70
        Quinella $16.80
        Trifecta $765.30
        First Four $9020.00
        2012
        Fiveandahalfstar $19.30/$4.30
        Super Cool $2.10
        Rawnaq $19.30
        Quinella $83.30
        Trifecta $13475.00
        First Four $81704.40
        2011
        Sangster $14.80/$3.80
        Induna $2.10
        Sabrage $3.70
        Quinella $43.50
        Trifecta $529.10
        First Four $8510.50
        2010
        Lion Tamer $12.90/$3.70
        Praecido $5.10
        Retrieve $1.90
        Quinella $99.10
        Trifecta $494.40
        First Four $2895.90
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