The Group 1 Australian Derby compliments a massive day of racing this Saturday at Royal Randwick.
The $2 million staying feature has attracted a quality field of three-year-olds, headlined by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s exciting colt Hitotsu, who steps out hoping to become just the fourth horse to complete the Australian Guineas – Australian Derby double.
New Zealand Derby runner-up Regal Lion has seen some support ahead of his second run in Australia, while Monday’s Tulloch Stakes winner Character sits on the second line of betting.
For complete analysis on every runner, check out our 2022 Australian Derby Preview below.
1. Hitotsu (4)
- Group 1’s: 2 (2021 Victoria Derby, 2022 Australian Guineas)
- Record: 7-3:0:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: John Allen
- Odds: $3.70
Hoping to become the first horse since Mahogany in 1994 to claim the Victoria Derby/Australian Derby Double. Bolted in to score comfortably in his finale during the spring and showed the same turn of foot first-up to finish over the top of Lightsaber in the Australian Guineas. Slight query racing at Randwick for the first time on heavy going, but looks to have a class edge over most of these. Far from the ideal setup but his talent alone makes him the horse to beat.
2. Alegron (3)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 11-1:2:1
- Track: 2:0-0-1
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: James Cummings
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
- Odds: $15.00
Second to Hitotsu in last year’s Victoria Derby but has failed to return the same horse in two starts so far. Finished down the straight first-up in the CS Hayes at Flemington and had excuses on soft going in the Australian Guineas. Genuine query on heavy going for the first time but should appreciate racing over further.
3. Forgot You (13)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 12-3:0:3
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- Jockey: Mark Zahra
- Odds: $7.00
Fifth in last year’s Victoria Derby and has been around the mark in all three runs this prep. Battled on well for third behind Anamoe and Converge last time out in the Rosehill Guineas after racing wide in transit. Looks set to peak in his fourth run back and should appreciate getting out to 2400m. Clear target race from the stable and is worth serious consideration.
4. Castlereagh Kid (12)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 6-3:2:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Nash Rawiller
- Odds: $18.00
On debut at Group 1 level. Made it a hat-trick with a comfortable win in the Autumn Classic two back at Caulfield and buckled under pressure on-pace last time out in the Alister Clark Stakes. Should have an easier time of it on-speed here and will take some catching.
5. Regal Lion (10)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 11-1:1:2
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-1
- Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
- Jockey: James McDonald
- Odds: $6.00
Genuine type having just his second run in Australia. Finished runner-up in the New Zealand Derby last month behind a smart type and was only a length off Monday’s Tulloch Stakes winner Character at Newcastle. Would probably prefer a little less sting out of the ground but that form line has always been key leading into the Derby. Maps to get back and should be swooping in late.
6. White Noise (21)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 11-4:0:1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
- Jockey: Robbie Nolan
- Odds: $26.00
Stablemate to Regal Lion. Ran seventh in the NZ Derby two back and achieved the same result earlier in the week in the Tulloch. Needs to improve to be a factor here.
7. War Eternal (9)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 10-2:2:1
- Track: 4:1-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Damian Lane
- Odds: $21.00
Won second-up at Rosehill by a clear margin and was far from disgraced running on for fourth in the Randwick Guineas two back. Made up good ground for third at The Valley last time out and should be rock-hard fit at this stage of his prep. Proven on heavy going and rates a decent knockout chance.
8. Character (11)
On a quick backup after winning the Tulloch Stakes on Monday. Burst clear from midfield over the concluding stages and won with plenty in hand to suggest he’ll appreciate racing over further. The Tulloch has produced eight winners of this race in the past and if he handles the heavy track, he might be joining the list.
9. Can’t Go Wong (6)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 5-2:1:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: Ms Jamie Kah
- Odds: $21.00
Untried on rain-affected going. Ran second to Prix De Turn at The Valley a couple of weeks ago and comes out of a leading staying stable. Has an in-form rider in the saddle and has plenty of room for improvement.
10. Maurice’s Medad (16)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 13-1:1:3
- Track: 4:0-1-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Josh Parr
- Odds: $34.00
Unplaced in two starts at Group 1 level and hasn’t won a race in close to a year. Did run on well for third in the Albury Cup last week but is facing a much tougher test here. Likely to find the heavy going a challenge.
11. Raging Bull (15)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 8-1:0:2
- Track: 2:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: David Payne
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Odds: $34.00
Ran a huge race for fourth in last year’s Victoria Derby but has struggled to find that same form since resuming. Fitter for two runs back but needs to improve.
12. Elzamee (1)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 5:1:1:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
- Jockey: Chad Schofield
- Odds: $26.00
Won well on debut at Newcastle late last year and has risen through the grades quite nicely. Overcame a wide run in transit at The Valley last time out but still managed to make ground for fourth. Could sneak a place with the rails run.
13. Zoumon (5)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 8:3-0-1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
- Jockey: Tim Clark
- Odds: $61.00
Won a Heavy 10 at Canterbury three runs back but has struggled against tougher company more recently. Maps to roll forward but might is a genuine query over the trip.
14. Clyde (8)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 12-3:1:0
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Gary Portelli
- Jockey: Shaun Guymer
- Odds: $81.00
Tenth in the Spring Champion Stakes and ninth in the Victoria Derby last year. Made up decent ground for sixth in Monday’s Tulloch Stakes but is tough to recommend racing on a heavy track for the first time.
15. Benaud (19)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 7-1:1:1
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: John O’Shea
- Jockey: Brenton Avdulla
- Odds: $16.00
Should be rock-hard fit for four runs back. Bolted in late for fourth in the Tulloch Stakes on Monday and has placed on rain-affected going in the past. Slight query over the trip but should be in this for a long way if Avdulla can offset the wide gate early.
16. Footlights (2)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 7-2:1:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young
- Jockey: William Pike
- Odds: $61.00
Won over 2000m on a Heavy 8 at Ballarat a couple of weeks ago. No match the start prior in the Autumn Classic and is facing a much harder assignment here.
17. Sea Treasures (17)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 8-2:1:1
- Track: 1:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Ms Rachel King
- Odds: $61.00
Won a Class 1 at Newcastle last weak on a heavy track. Second last in the Randwick Guineas three runs back and won’t find this any easier.
18. Akahata (20)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 15-2:1:2
- Track: 2:0-0-1
- Distance: 1:0-0-0
- Trainer: Bjorn Baker
- Jockey: Brock Ryan
- Odds: $91.00
Missed the start against much easier company last week at Wellington. Big step up in grade and tough to recommend.
19. Asternishing (18)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 13-1:1:2
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 1:1-0-0
- Trainer: Mick Bell
- Jockey: Dean Holland
- Odds: $301
First emergency. Won his maiden over this distance at Mornington during the spring but is unlikely to trouble most of these.
20. Mediaro (14)
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 4-1:1:0
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Matthew Smith
- Jockey: Jay Ford
- Odds: $61.00
Second emergency.
21. Lukey Luke
- Group 1’s: 0
- Record: 3:1-0-1
- Track: 0:0-0-0
- Distance: 0:0-0-0
- Trainer: Glenda Markwell
- Jockey: Keegan Latham
- Odds: $91.00
Third emergency.
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