Quick Finish will attempt to end a 103-year drought for fillies in the Victoria Derby when she lines up in Saturday’s $3 million Group 1 feature at Flemington.
The Yulong-owned daughter of Grunt will become the first filly to contest the 2500m classic since Lycra in 1990, with no filly having won the race since Frances Tressady in 1923.
Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Quick Finish enters the Derby in outstanding form after winning her past three starts.
Her most recent victory came in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield, convincing connections to test her against the colts and geldings in one of Australia’s most prestigious three-year-old races.
Quick Finish has drawn barrier 11 in the capacity field of 16 runners, with two emergencies also declared.
Jye McNeil has been booked to ride the filly, who will carry 55kg under the Derby’s set-weights conditions.
Champion trainer Ciaron Maher will have a strong representation as he attempts to add another Victoria Derby to his record.
Maher, who previously won the race with Hitotsu and Observer, has accepted with Vallice, Skua and Murshidi.
Vallice will be partnered by Mark Zahra from barrier 14, while Skua and Murshidi provide the stable with additional chances in the staying feature.
Chris Waller will also have multiple runners, with Stormy Marco and True Tone set to represent his stable.
Among the other leading contenders is Vase winner True Rebel, who faces a difficult task after drawing barrier 17.
Caulfield Classic winner King Snitz has fared considerably better at the barrier draw, securing gate six.
This year’s Victoria Derby will be worth $3 million after Racing Victoria increased the prizemoney from $2 million, providing an additional incentive for connections to target the traditional Derby Day feature.
The increase comes while the race’s Group 1 classification remains under review.
For Quick Finish, Saturday presents an opportunity to achieve something no filly has managed in more than a century.
A victory would make her the first female winner of the Victoria Derby since Frances Tressady and provide the McEvoy stable with a historic result on one of the biggest days of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
