Best Bets For Victoria Derby at Flemington

Victoria Derby Day launches Cup Week at Flemington Racecourse. The feature race is the Group One Victory Derby, and it includes some of the best three-year-olds in the country.

Here is a look at the best bets for the Victoria Derby Day and some of the supporting races on the card at Flemington.

BEST BET: OBSERVER

Race no tbc (Victoria Derby)

After a cosy victory in the Drummond Golf Vase at Moonee Valley last weekend, Observer goes into the Victory Derby as the red-hot favourite, and it is hard to look past him from scoring in the feature.

Rider Mark Zahra had the luxury of easing his horse up at Moonee Valley in the Group Two contest on Cox Plate Day, otherwise, the Godolphin runner may have won by a large distance. With the Victoria Derby in mind, it could prove to be a wise move from Zahra, as he has done his best to preserve as much as possible ahead of this race.

Observer is set to step back up in distance at Flemington, and that will not be a problem for the colt. He was third in the Caulfield Guineas over the same distance, and his breeding indicates he should relish it.

Trainer Ciaron Maher opted against running in the Cox Plate with his exciting colt, but the fact he considered that race tells you how high he rates the horse. He was very unlucky in the Caulfield Guineas, as he ran into traffic more than once. This is his chance to shine at the highest level and establish himself as one of the best horses of his generation.

SECOND BEST BET: GETTA GOOD FEELING

Race no tbc (Wakeful Stakes)

The step up to 2000 metres should be perfect for Getta Good Feeling, who has shaped like she has needed the extra distance in her races so far. Grahame Begg’s filly was third of 12 runners in the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield last month. She finished that race strongly, getting within a length of the winner, Ole Dancer, at the finish.

Getta Good Feeling established herself as one of the leading three-year-old fillies in the country when she won the Group Two Edward Manifold Stakes at Flemington on just her second career start. She took a big step forward from her maiden run to beat a strong field in Victoria.

Danny O’Brien believes his filly has an excellent chance in the Oaks this season. Expect to see her put in a big performance in the Wakeful Stakes to strengthen her Oaks claims.

BEST VALUE: PANOVA

Race no tbc (The Vanity)

Chris Waller has two runners in The Vanity on Victoria Derby Day, with Chatterley and Panova set to represent him. The latter is almost twice as big as the former in the betting and represents the best value in the Group Three contest.

The three-year-old filly scored at Randwick on her latest outing in the Group Three Bisley Workwear Reginald Allen Quality, causing an upset when beating joint-favourites Samarelle and Miles Of Glory. There looks like there could be more to come from Waller’s filly, so stick with her in The Vanity.