Tulloch Stakes winner Old North will not back up in the Australian Derby with Godolphin to rely on Tally and Etymology.
Old North was promoted to $6 second favouritism behind Taarzino after his 1-3/4 length win at Rosehill on Saturday.
After the race, his jockey James McDonald said he was unsure whether he could back up over 2400 metres within seven days and trainer John O’Shea confirmed he would be kept for the Frank Packer Plate (2000m) a week after the Derby.
All going well, runner-up Torgersen will join his Chris Waller-trained stablemate Vanbrugh in the $2 million race on Saturday.
“I think he is the type of horse that can back up,” Waller said.
Vanbrugh, the Spring Champion Stakes winner to be ridden by Hugh Bowman, is at $11 with Torgersen a $15 chance.
Hugh Bowman stays with Vanbrugh who was unlucky not to finish closer to Tarzino when fourth in the Rosehill Guineas after getting blocked for a run at the top of the straight.
Tarzino is the $2.30 Derby favourite ahead of Tally at $6 and Jameka at $8.
The VRC Oaks winner, Jameka finished third in the Rosehill Guineas and was scratched from Saturday’s Vinery Stud Stakes against her own sex in favour of the Derby.
The Vinery was won by Single Gaze from New Zealander Valley Girl.
Jameka and Vinery Stud third placed Happy Hannah are the $4.60 equal favourites for the Oaks a week after the Derby with Single Gaze now in the market at $15.
Trainer Nick Olive originally planned the Vinery as Single Gaze’s grand final but after seeing how well she hit the line over 2000 metres he is considering the step up to 2400.
“She is paid up for the Queen Of The Turf over 1600 metres as well,” Olive said.
“Those are things we will think about over the next few days.”
