The huge Victoria Derby meeting is upon us. Flemington was rated a Dead 4 and with overcast weather in Melbourne, the course proper is likely to remain in the Dead range on Saturday.
Fontein Ruby can score a victory in the Wakeful Stakes (Melbourne Race 2, 2000m) for Robert Smerdon. The Wakeful Stakes is the traditional lead-up to the VRC Oaks and is usually won by the filly in the best form, and Fontein Ruby is certainly in great form. The black filly has won her past 2 starts in Group company, beating the impressive Maastricht in the process. Barrier 12 on Saturday shouldn’t be too big a problem as there is a long straight before the first turn from the 2000m start, which allows regular jockey Mark Zahra plenty of time to take the filly to the lead. Fontein Ruby is unbeaten at Flemington winning 2 from 2 and she’ll be the one they all have to catch.
South Australian 4YO Hucklebuck looks the horse to beat in the Yellowglen Stakes (Melbourne Race 3, 1400m). The gelding resumed in impressive fashion winning the Listed 1200m Durbridge Stakes two weeks ago. Hucklebuck has a good 2nd up record winning 2 from 3 and he has also won 2 from 3 over 1400m. Hucklebuck is very versatile as he can settle anywhere in the field so barrier 9 on Saturday shouldn’t present too much problem for jockey Dom Tourneur.
Rich Enuff was a bit unlucky in the Caulfield Guineas when he was forced to lead at a pretty fast clip and just got napped by Shooting To Win on the line. I believe he can make amend and win the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Melbourne race 4, 1200m). His main opposition in the race is the flyer Rubick, who won well 1st up beating the older horses in the Schillaci Stakes (1000m). However this is Rubick’s first attempt down the straight track & his only previous run over 1200m resulted in an unplaced effort. On the other hand, Rich Enuff has won over the straight six before and he is unbeaten over 1200m winning 2 from 2. Rich Enuff will present Cranbourne trainer Ken Keys with a fairy tale ending in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Gai Waterhouse can take the winning trophy back to Sydney with Hampton Court running in the Victoria Derby (Melburne Race 7, 2500m). The Redoute’s Choice 3YO displayed great staying ability last start in the Spring Champion Stakes when he ran away from the other great 3YOs First Seal & Sweynesse at the finish. Hampton Court has been set for the Derby all along and he’ll run the trip right out. From barrier 11, Kerrin McEvoy will take Hampton Court back to the tail of the field and put the colt to sleep. Hampton Court will be at his strongest when he sprint down the long Flemington straight and he will be hard to hold out.
By Owens Wong, Editor
