Tarzino, ridden by Craig Newett and trained by Mick Price, claimed victory in the Victoria Derby after being heavily favoured in the lead up to the race.
Taking control at the 400m, Tarzino sped home and by the 200m was beyond doubt, winning the race from Etymology in second and Kia Ora Koutou in third.
MELBOURNE CUP PREVIEW AND TOP TIPS
Final placings
1. Tarzino
2. Etymology
3. Kia Ora Koutou
The Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) is what this day is all about, and is the showpiece race on the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup. Join The Roar before the race start time of 3:50pm (AEDT) for commentary and late mail.
Tarzino has dominated the market and is just above even money. He has looked like a Derby horse this campaign and was nearly the run of the day at Moonee Valley last week, perhaps only bettered by Winx in the Cox Plate.
He has the right breeding for this race, but I want to take him on at the short odds. Efficient in 2006 (thanks to stats from Cam Rose) is the last Derby winner to jump at the same odds as Tarzino will today.
I’m going with Lizard Island, who brings some great Caulfield Guineas form, where he was second behind Press Statement. He was the first colt home in the Caulfield Classic and nearly got it done when things didn’t go his way.
We have already seen some money come for him, as he has been backed from $13 into $9.
Shards nearly won the Vase, leading all the way. I can’t see him going all the way here, as there was a huge track bias last week.
Kia Ora Koutou is well in the market and second favourite. He is undefeated in four starts, but all of them have been in Western Australia. He does have a win over 2200 metres, but as we saw last spring, sometimes these Perth horses struggle in bigger fields on big days. He is lightly raced and has had a month between runs, I’ll take a risk and not include him. However he does look a good stayer in the making.
Get the Picture closed well in the Caulfield Classic, motoring home once they straightened, and is an obvious danger.
Extra Choice won the Geelong Classic when the blinkers were applied. They made all the difference and $13 could be value here.
Palace Tycoon had the country preparation and might be worth putting in later legs of your multiples. The pace may come from Shards and Ayres Rock, the latter winning the UCI Stakes two starts back at this track.
Of the rest, Jadeer could be one of the best on-pacers, and Man of Choice has some okay form – he did drift out to $34 but is back in to $26.
Pay Up Bro was an eye-catcher last start and might have some luck here, and Colonel Custer could sneak into a first four.
Selections
1. Lizard Island 2. Tarzino 3. Get the Picture 4. Ayres Rock
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
QLD VIC NSW Quinella 7-9 19.20 19.00 17.50 Exacta 7-9 29.30 28.60 25.30 Trifecta 7-9-3 208.90 192.50 171.10 First Four 7-9-3-15 6,110.60 5,990.60 6,421.40
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Mick Price - You hear from a lot of people on days like this so second wasn't going to be good enough, Craig and I go back a long way so it's good to have that loyalty and all credit to Craig on the ride. The horse produced, the jockey produced so it all went to plan today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Quite an emotional Craig Newitt after winning the Victoria Derby paid tribute to his dad and his beautiful family.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Race Results 1. Tarzino $2.90 2. Etymology $3.30 3. Kia Ora Koutou $2.20 4. Red Alto
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Red Alto the big outsider grabs fourth!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Tarzino challenges and he takes the lead, Pay Up Bro is there but Etymology runs into second but it'll be Tarzino he wins the derby from Etymology, Kia Ora Koutou maybe third then I'm not sure for fourth, they are so spread out!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Iron Boss has taken off here, Shards is in second and then Ayres Rock, Colonel Custer. Iron Boss slowing off now. Lizard Island, Palace Tycoon, Etymology, Kia Ora Koutou. He has come right back to the field now as Ayres Rock and Lizard Island take over.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Good line out, Tarzino is up there with Palace Tycoon and Colonel Custer as come across from the winde gate, Shards moving around the outside, Tarzino, The pace slackens off and Iron Boss takes off around them.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
All set now, locked in and we are off.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners nearly ready here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners about to get set for this race, should run on time here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Mick Price - Tarzino has gone down to the barriers well, happy with him thought the Moonee Valley run was exciting and thinks he will run close to the speed.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Adam Durrant the trainer of Kia Ora Koutou hopes his runner can do the job, hasn't said the Derby was always the target but once he started winning it became the target. No doubts over the distance he said but it's up to Joey (Azzopardi) to get him out of the jail cell.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Another good sign is the clouds have parted and the rain looks like it will stay away now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Horses have now been mounted up by their riders. The history of this race goes back to 1855 and some of Australia's most prestigious horses have won this race.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Pay Up Bro looks ago but it will be hard for him. Not much else taking my eye Tarzino, Lizard Island and Kia Ora Koutou the picks of the yard.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Extra Choice looking to become just the fourth runner to win the Geelong Classic and go on to win Tarzino has looked a future staying star and a Derby horse. Get the Picture out of the Stuart Webb Yard has might struggle based on pedigree for this race.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Ayers Rock might struggle at the trip but he will give them a sight. and he looks outstanding. Man of Choice looks okay but happy to take on.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Shards the son of Medagla D'oro the way this track is playing he is in the game. Kia Ora Koutou looks a picture, out of Kiora Miss, and the son of a Melbourne Cup winner, has the pedigree.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Big talk around Lizard Island where the money continues to come for him and he is into $7. Runners are in the mounting yard and Lizard Island looks an absolute picture.