THE ATC AUSTRALIAN DERBY
2400m, $1 million, set weights
* Prize money halved this year because of coronavirus pandemic and reduced wagering income
HISTORY
* First run in 1861 and won by Kyogle, the Derby is firmly established as the No.1 three-year-old Classic in the country.
* Past winners include Grand Flaneur (1880), Poseidon (1906), Gloaming (1918), Heroic (1924), Phar Lap (1929), Peter Pan (1932), Hall Mark (1933), Tea Rose (1944), Tulloch (1957), Silver Sharpe (1970), Classic Mission (1971), Imagele (1973), Dulcify (1979), Kingston Town (1980), Strawberry Road (1983), Bonecrusher (1986), Beau Zam (1988), Research (1989), Naturalism (1992), Mahogany (1994), Octagonal (1996), Universal Prince (2001), Starcraft (2004), Roman Emperor (2009), It’s A Dundeel (2013), Criterion (2014), Mongolian Khan (2015).
* The late TJ Smith holds training honours with nine winners: Playboy (1949), Tulloch (1957), Summer Prince (1962), Summer Fiesta (1963), Prince Grant (1965), Silver Sharpe (1970), Imagele (1973), Great Lover (1976) and Kingston Town (1980).
* Champion jockey Tommy Hales holds the riding record: Richmond (1875), Grand Flaneur (1880), Navigator (1882), Bargo (1884), Trident (1886) and Abercorn (1887).
TALKING POINTS
* The Derby has been historically dominated by colts and geldings as most three-year-old fillies contest the Australian Oaks the following week. In the past 27 years Shamrocker (2011) has been the only filly to win. In 1989 champion filly Research won the Derby and the Oaks four days later. There are no fillies this year.
* Murray Baker will be looking to enhance his record in the Classic. The New Zealand trainer has tasted Derby success with Nom Du Jeu (2008), It’s A Dundeel (2013), Mongolian Khan (2015) and Jon Snow (2017). In partnership with Andrew Forsman, Baker will be represented by Quick Thinker
WHAT CONNECTIONS ARE SAYING
“Shadow Hero and Castelvecchio are the ones to beat but we believe we’ve got the best staying horse in the race and we will try to make it a real staying test” – Brad Taylor, racing manager for Warning’s trainer Anthony Freedman
He’s one of the headline horses, Shadow Hero, and I’m excited for the race. It is one of our most prestigious races. It’s usually an exciting race and I think this year’s field has the potential to produce a really exciting contest” – Shadow Hero’s jockey Josh Parr
“There is a Derby winner in his pedigree and an Oaks winner, Blackfriars that won a Derby and Larrocha won the South Australian Oaks, so you never know” – Quick Thinker’s co-trainer Murray Baker
