72 nominations for the 150th AJC Australian Derby

A total of 72 horses have been nominated for the 150th running of the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m).

Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva, a half brother to 2006 AJC Derby winner Headturner, headlines the nominations.

Other Group 1 winners nominated include VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse, Kingston Town Classic winner Playing God, TJ Smith Stakes winner Pressday and Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker.

Makybe Diva’s first foal Rockstardom is among nominations, as is her three quarter brother Shadowofexcellence.

Sunline’s half sister Daline is also nominated.

Other notable entries are UCI Stakes winner Eclair Surprise, Fernhill Handicap winner Kudakulari, Moonee Valley Fillies Classic winner Lights of Heaven and Caulfield Guineas placegetter Masquerader.

As always, there is a strong New Zealand contingent entered for the race.

While last Saturday’s NZ Derby winner Jimmy Choux is entered for the AJC Derby, he is more likely to go to the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m).

Other Kiwis nominated include On The Level, who ran third in the NZ Derby, Sierra Nevada, who finished fifth, and He’s Remarkable, who ran ninth.

The lightly raced Rimsky, who didn’t race in the New Zealand Derby, is the other Kiwi entrant.

The AJC Australian Derby will be run at Randwick on April 9.

Here are the nominations: