The huge Victoria Derby meeting will be held at Flemington this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with overcast weather in Melbourne leading up to the weekend, Flemington is likely to be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Lightly raced 5YO Alward is a horse on the up and he could take out the Lexus Stakes on Saturday (Melbourne Race 4, 2500m). This gelding has been in good form this preparation winning 4 of his last 6 starts, and he put up a good fighting effort last start when 2nd to Destiny’s Kiss in the City Tatts Cup over 2400m. He has also won a race at Flemington over 2000m when 3rd up this prep. The in-form Kerrin McEvoy will take over the rein on Saturday. There will be a fair bit of pace in this race hence McEvoy is likely to settle Alward somewhere mid-field from barrier 7 and Alward will be very strong in the run home.
After being triumphant in the Gloaming Stakes and the Spring Champion Stakes, Ace High can go on to claim the Victoria Derby (Melbourne Race 7, 2500m). The David Payne-trained colt has put his staying potential on display when stepped up in distance in his last two starts in the Gloaming Stakes and the Champion Stakes. Being by High Chaparral, the 2500m in the Derby is unlikely to present any problems to Ace High. Tye Angland knows the horse well and he’ll once again be aboard. Nicely drawn in barrier 3, Angland is likely to go straight to the lead and Ace High could prove hard to catch.
The Waller-trained mare Egg Tart is ready to return to the winner’s circle by taking out the Kennedy Mile (Melbourne Race 8, 1600m). The 4YO was in scintillating form last campaign winning all her 5 starts including the Group 1s Schweppes Oaks & Queensland Oaks. She returned in great style finishing 2nd when first up in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m). But last start in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), like many Sydney horses, she failed to handle the tricky Caulfield track when 7th behind Tosen Stardom. Back to Flemington on Saturday will suit Egg Tart much better and dropping down to 52kg will give her a great chance. Egg Tart also has a good record over the mile with 2 wins from 3 starts over the trip. Kerrin McEvoy will settle the mare a bit worse than mid-field and she will unleash her withering sprint down the long Flemington straight.
By Owens Wong, Editor
