The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) headlines Saturday’s meeting at Flemington, with a wide-open betting market setting the scene for an exciting three-year-old staying contest on Derby Day.
With several leading contenders boasting strong form heading into the $3 million feature, there appears to be plenty of winning chances in one of the most competitive editions of the race in recent years.
Below is our speed map, runner-by-runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Victoria Derby.
2026 Victoria Derby Runner Preview:
1. Cormier: Easy to see why he’s likeable given his form, and the fact he has led his past two, which I don’t think is his go. With a bunny to chase, he’ll be more effective and is a definite threat.
2. Stormy Marco: Thought he was very good in the Spring Champion last Saturday against the race shape/track pattern. He is a clear danger and commands respect.
3. True Rebel: Just a win in the Vase last Saturday I thought and I think that form is rubbish for this.
4. King Snitz: Sit/sprint set up of the Caulfield Classic suited him and he just got there. Harder here, can’t have him. Got him marked much longer.
5. Murshidi: Had the A1 run in transit and finished best to win the Geelong Classic. He’ll stay…just the gate makes things very tricky.
6. Vallice: Vallice should be fine at 2500m. He comes through the Caulfield Classic where he led, had front end control, and tried hard, but couldn’t quite dash well enough to get the win. I think with a bunny to chase, a more patient ride, 2500m is fine and he’s a threat.
7. Skua: Had on speed control in the Vase and fought on really well in defeat. Just don’t think he’s good enough to measure up.
8. Cignetti: Thought he was quite good in the Caulfield Classic given the sit/sprint set up. He looks like he will have no issue with 2500m and is a threat at a price.
9. Icy You: Icy You lacks a turn of foot but will run the trip no issue IMO. He tried his guts out in the Geelong Classic but just couldn’t quite finish the job and was nabbed late by Murshidi. 2500m is no issue IMO, lands near the front…he’ll only run well.
10. True Tone: I like True Tone. He was 1600m to 2200m when racing last Wednesday in the Geelong Classic where he was there to win I thought but just peaked on the run. He has that run under the belt, 2500m looks no issue and this is a very thin Derby overall.
11. Hierarchy: SCR
12. Written Empire: Plain in the Vase and looks up against it.
13. Russian Rock: Backed as if unbeatable in the Vase but the race shape was clearly against him. Think 2500m suits, more genuine tempo…he’s a must include in exotics.
14. Cold Shower: Held in the Geelong Classic and needs to improve too much to measure up.
15. King Winston: I think he could be a Derby horse in 6-9 months time. Not ready for it yet.
16. Quick Finish: Blessed in run with the bias in the Ethereal and I can’t entertain her.
17. Meet The Prince: $201 in the market. No Thanks.
2026 Victoria Derby Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place True Tone
Group l Strategy Outlay: $2300
Group l Strategy Return: $1456
2026 Victoria Derby Speed Map
Skua was on speed last Saturday in the Vase so I say he leads, but the likes of Quick Finish and Icy You won’t be far away. Cormier has led his past two but I dare say from a soft draw, will be ridden with cover and having a bunny to chase.
Victoria Derby Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CORMIER | Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | Jamie Mott | 3 | 57kg |
| 2 | STORMY MARCO | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 16 | 57kg |
| 3 | TRUE REBEL | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 17 | 57kg |
| 4 | KING SNITZ | Shane Jackson | Damian Lane | 6 | 57kg |
| 5 | MURSHIDI | Ciaron Maher | Blake Shinn | 18 | 57kg |
| 6 | VALLICE | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 14 | 57kg |
| 7 | SKUA | Ciaron Maher | John Allen | 13 | 57kg |
| 8 | CIGNETTI (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | William Pike | 12 | 57kg |
| 9 | ICY YOU | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Craig Williams | 10 | 57kg |
| 10 | TRUE TONE | Chris Waller | Jason Collett | 15 | 57kg |
| 12 | WRITTEN EMPIRE | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Harry Coffey | 2 | 57kg |
| 13 | RUSSIAN ROCK | Michael Trotter | Michael Dee | 7 | 57kg |
| 14 | COLD SHOWER | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jett Stanley | 5 | 57kg |
| 15 | KING WINSTON | Greg Eurell | Daniel Stackhouse | 9 | 57kg |
| 16 | QUICK FINISH | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Jye McNeil | 11 | 55kg |
| 17e | MEET THE PRINCE | Patrick Kearney | Jackson Radley (a) | 1 | 57kg |
Victoria Derby Odds
