The Victoria Derby is one of the most famous horse races in Australia. It was first run in 1855, over 2400 metres, but has been a 2500 metre race since 1973. Confined to three-year-olds, it is run in early November at Flemington racecourse, Melbourne, during the Spring Carnival. The prize money available for the Victoria Derby is $2,000,000, which makes it one of the richest races in Australia, as well as one of the most prestigious.
As a long established and race, the Victoria Derby is a keenly anticipated puzzle for punters to solve and all of Australia’s top racing tipsters will be studying this race closely. Victoria Derby betting tips are always in demand in the days leading up to Derby Day, which is one of the most hectic betting days in Australian racing. The Victoria Derby is among the tougher Group 1 contests to work out since most of the horses in the race have yet to show their full ability, and because the testing distance of this race can produce a falsely run contest. That’s why many punters seek advice from the top racing tipsters before they bet. If you’re planning on following tipster advice, look for one with a good record in this race.
Betting starts on the Victoria Derby months ahead of time as punters and bookmakers try to weigh up the year’s group of two-year-olds to establish which have the potential for the challenges of the following season. Those ante-post odds will fluctuate significantly as the two-year-old season develops and more of the competitors appear. All through the winter, there will be speculation regarding Victoria Derby entrants, and regular movements in the markets, and the odds will change again during the spring as several races regarded as trials for the Victoria Derby are held in that period, including the Norman Robinson Stakes. There will be more shifts in the Victoria Derby betting odds in the day before the race when the barrier draw is made, as this can hand a small advantage to low-drawn horses, which is why some punters don’t bet until the draw has been decided.
Entry requirements in the Victoria Derby have changed over the years, and between 1931 and 1956, geldings were not allowed in the race, but that rule no longer applies. Weight carried is not a factor in this race as all colts carry 55.5 kg and fillies only 53.5 kg. There are multiple stages for the race, including a Late Entry stage, which involves owners paying a hefty $82,500 fee, but the final Victoria Derby field is limited to just 16 runners, with the deciding factor being the level of career prize money won by the horse. As you would expect with a race of this calibre, the entry list will include many of the best-bred and most-promising horses in Australian racing, and punters seeking ante-post clues for how the field may line up can check out the Order of Entry.
Race fans across Australia and all over the world will be closely following the outcome of this famous race and the results will be shared online not long after the winning horse has passed the post, spread by punters and race fans through social media and by official racing sites. The first three Victoria Derbies were all won by fillies – Tricolour, Flying Doe and Rose of May – but the last filly to enjoy success was Frances Tressady in 1923. Although in theory a horse can only run in the Victoria Derby once, Fireworks won it twice in 1867 and 1868, when the race was switched to New Year’s Day. Winning the Victoria Derby on racecourse debut is a hard task for any horse, but four have done so. Preferment was the latest, in 2014.