The AAMI Victoria Derby is a Group1 classic race for three-year-old gallopers that takes place at Flemington racecourse each year during the Melbourne spring racing carnival in late October or early November . The race is run over a distance of 2500 metres under set weight conditions and worth $1,500,000 in prizemoney. The 2011 AAMI Victoria Derby was won by Sangster from Induna with Sabrage third.
AAMI Victoria Derby day is held on the first day of the four day Flemington Spring racing carnival which is the last Saturday before Melbourne Cup day the following Tuesday.
Derby day is one of the elite days of horse racing in Australia each year with every race a group race and three other Group 1 races on the card including the Mackinnon Stakes, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Myer Classic, with around $5,000,000 total prizemoney on offer for the day.
The AAMI Victoria Derby is one of the great classic races on the racing calendar each year and the premier staying event for three-year-olds during the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington. Colts & geldings have had a mortage on the race over the years with Frances Tressady the last female to win the race way back in 1923. The Gr1 Crown Oaks is the fillies equivalent of this race and takes place on the Thursday following the Derby
Derby day is a huge event on the social calendar with Flemington racecourse the place to be on the first day of the Flemington four-day spring carnival and Derby day crowds have topped 115,000 people for the last four years. A record crowd of 129,089 racing fans attended in 2006 which makes Derby Day the most popular day crowd wise in recent times for the Flemington carnival.
The traditional lead up race to the Derby is the Gr2 AAMI Vase which is run over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley the previous Saturday on Gr1 WS Cox Plate day and Efficient (2006) was the last 3yo to win the AAMI Vase & AAMI Victoria Derby double.
The AAMI Vase has proven the best guide to the Victoria Derby in recent times as a high number of winners have come via the Moonee Valley middle distance race. Efficient (2006), Plastered (2004), Helenus (2002), Blevic (1994) and Raveneaux (1986) all won the AAMI Vase on their way to taking out the AAMI Victoria Derby.
Sangster (2011) finished second in the Gr3 Norman Robinson Stakes over 2000m at Caulfield before taking out this race and recent Victoria Derby winners include Lion Tamer (2010) and Monaco Consul (2009).
Spring Carnival Guide
The VRC AAMI Victoria Derby is one of the oldest classic events in Australia being first run in 1855 and many Derby winners and placegetters have gone on to become quality horses who have gone on to win a number of big races of the Australian turf.
Lion Tamer (2010) returned the following spring to win the Gr1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield, while Rekindled Interest (5th in 2010) also returned the following spring to win the won the Gr2 Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley before finishing third in the WS Cox Plate at the same track.
Monaco Consul (2009) ran third in the 2010 Caulfield Cup the following spring at Caulfield while Whobegotyou (2nd in 2008) has won a number of group races, including the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes for the past two years, since finishing runner-up in the Derby
Efficient (2006) went on to win the 2007 Melbourne Cup in brilliant style and in doing so became the first horse since the mighty Phar Lap (1930) to win the Melbourne Cup the year after winning the Derby.
In earlier times, Elvstroem (2003) came back the following spring as a 4yo to take out the 2004 Caulfield Cup in great fashion, while the brilliant Dulcify (1978) and Red Anchor (1984) both went on to win the WS Cox Plate after winning the Derby. Nothin' Leica Dane (1995) backed up the following Tuesday to run second in the Melbourne Cup.
2011 AAMI Victoria Derby result
1. $13.00 Sangster 55.5 Hugh Bowman
2. $5.50 Induna 55.5 Kerrin McEvoy
3. $16.00 Sabrage 55.5 Damien Oliver
then followed
4. $21.00 Zabeelionaire 55.5 Stephen Baster
5. $51.00 Isopach 55.5 Mr Joao Moreira
6. $2.50 Manawanui 55.5 Glyn Schofield
7. $151.00 I Feel Good 55.5 Brenton Avdulla
8. $71.00 Scelto 55.5 Dwayne Dunn
9. $31.00 Costly Commitment 55.5 Craig Newitt
10. $31.00 Eagle Command 55.5 Dean Yendall
11. $151.00 Mr Chez 55.5 Michael Rodd
12. $51.00 Cornell 55.5 Craig Williams
13. $7.00 Niagara 55.5 Nash Rawiller
14. $71.00 Rapidus 55.5 Steven Arnold
15. $19.00 Perfect Punch 55.5 Ms Clare Lindop
16. $19.00 Collar 55.5 Nicholas Hall
Margins: 0.20L, 1.20L Time: 2:40.33
Bet now on the AAMI Victoria Derby
Best price of the three Aussie Tabs with 'City Best Plus + SP'
Best Australian Bookmaker for AAMI Victoria Derby free bets
Racehorse Shares
2010 Filly by Lonhro
Lonhro * Mad Desire
* Super Vobis qualified through AT Bloodstock to be trained by Darren Weir.
* FREE agistment for 2 months when you buy a 10% share via Horse Racing Info!