Jimmy Choux has cemented his position at the top of AJC Derby markets after he drew the inside barrier for Saturday’s feature.
Before the barrier draw, the star Kiwi colt was a $2.20 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the AJC Australian Derby (2400m).
Rosehill Guineas winner 'Jimmy Choux' has drawn the inside barrier for the AJC Australian Derby - Photo by Steve Hart
However, he is now into a $2.00 favourite, and it is possible that he may be the first odds on favourite in the AJC Derby since Octagonal in 1995.
Octagonal defeated a top field, including the likes of Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup winner Saintly, Melbourne Cup placegetter Nothin’ Leica Dane and Cox Plate placegetter Filante.
This year’s field doesn’t look to have the same quality as that of 1995.
There are two other horses under double figures with TAB Sportsbet – Retrieve, who disappointed in the Tulloch Stakes last Saturday, is at $7.00 while the sole filly in the field, Australian Guineas winner Shamrocker, is at $9.00.
They have drawn barriers 12 and 8 respectively.
Here is the final field for the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m), with their likely jockey and current price next to their name (courtesy of Racing NSW):
| TAB No. | Horse | Barrier | Likely Jockey | Trainer | Weight | Latest Price |
| 1. | JIMMY CHOUX (NZ) | 1 | Jonathan Riddell | John Bary | 56.5kg | $2 |
| 2. | ANACHEEVA | 6 | Luke Nolen | Peter Moody | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 3. | RETRIEVE | 12 | Kerrin McEvoy | Peter Snowden | 56.5kg | $7 |
| 4. | PRAECIDO (NZ) | 14 | Corey Brown | David Payne | 56.5kg | $26 |
| 5. | MASQUERADER | 5 | Glyn Schofield | David Payne | 56.5kg | $15 |
| 6. | DOMESKY | 3 | Craig Williams | Michael Kent | 56.5kg | $35 |
| 7. | HE’S REMARKABLE (NZ) | 13 | Michael Rodd | Roger James | 56.5kg | $21 |
| 8. | LIGHT BRIGADE | 2 | Nash Rawiller | Gai Waterhouse | 56.5kg | $13 |
| 9. | I THINK I DO | 11 | Steven Arnold | Bart Cummings | 56.5kg | $15 |
| 10. | SHADOWOFEXCELLENCE | 7 | —— | M.W. & J. Hawkes | 56.5kg | $101 |
| 11. | HIGH DENSITY | 4 | Kathy O’Hara | Joe Cleary | 56.5kg | $301 |
| 12. | KING GLADIATOR | 9 | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller | 56.5kg | $13 |
| 13. | DUCARIUS | 10 | Christian Reith | Paul Perry | 56.5kg | $301 |
| 14. | SHAMROCKER (NZ) | 8 | Glen Boss | Danny O’Brien | 54.5kg | $9 |
Just Horse Racing will bring you all the AJC Derby news over the next few days, including a comprehensive preview on Friday.
We will also bring you the final field for the other Group 1, the T J Smith Stakes (1200m), when it is released tomorrow.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
