3 minute read
The Derby and Oaks winners from Flemington will clash in Saturday’s ATC Derby
Chris Waller learned last year how hard it is to get a Victoria Derby champion to win the ATC Australian Derby, but it hasn't stopped him having a crack with Riff Rocket.
The son of American Pharoah will contest the 2400-metre Group 1 at Randwick, 12 months after stablemate Manzoice attempted the feat.
Five months after winning the 2022 Victoria Derby, Manzoice failed to beat home a rival in the ATC Derby.
It reminded everyone of what a great achievement it was from Hitotsu to complete the double the season prior.
He became just the third horse to complete the Derby double since Sydney's Derby moved to the autumn in 1979, joining a couple of superstars in Dulcify and Mahogany.
They are among 25 Victoria Derby winners to contest the ATC Derby since 1979 with Ace High, Arena, Stylish Century and Handy Proverb all finishing second at Randwick, while Monaco Consul and Blevic were third.
One element Riff Rocket has to contend with that few Victoria Derby winners have had to contend in the ATC Derby is the presence of the VRC Oaks winner with James Cummings electing to take on the boys with Zardozi.
She will join Jameka, Miss Finland, Special Harmony, Grand Archway and Arborea as VRC Oaks winners to contest the ATC Derby since 1994 with Jameka's second placing the best result.
On four occasions in that time the Victoria Derby winner was also in the field with the boys holding a 3-1 head-to-head advantage.
VRC Derby and Oaks winners in the ATC Derby (past 30 years)
2016 – Jameka second, Tarzino fourth
2004 – Elvstroem fifth, Special Harmony sixth
1999 – Arena second, Grand Archway third
1994 – Mahogany WON, Arborea fourth
All up, 31 fillies to have run in the Derby since it moved to the autumn with Rose Of Kingston (1982), Tristarc (1985) and Research (1989) winning during the 1980s, but Shamrocker (2011) is the only filly to have won since.
Danedri and Jameka finished second, while Tuesday Joy, Grand Archway and Deck The Halls all ran third with 22 failing to finish top-three.
Zardozi opened a slight favourite after Tuesday's release of the field, but Riff Rocket has claimed the top line of betting and the gelding owns a ratings edge over the daughter of Kingman.
The Racing And Sports Ratings scale had Riff Rocket winning the Derby in 115, a number he replicated in his C S Hayes Stakes first-up win this campaign, while he improved to 116 in his Rosehill Guineas win.
Zardozi ran 111 in the Oaks, a figure she improved to 112 when defeating the boys two back in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes but heads in off a 108 performance when third in last week's Vinery Stud Stakes.
