There is no bigger day on the calendar year than Derby Day.
A fan favourite for punters across the country and our resident GTO tipsters have done the form to help you along the way.
Eagle Farm Race 8 Tip #5 Enterprise Prince $4.40
I’m following up again on this bloke who was a certainty beaten last start over this same track and distance.
He was tracking up at the rear before the jock got a bit cute and tried to work his way through the pack.
It was a costly mistake as he surged late when finally in the clear. When all was said and done he only went down by a half-length.
Connections have opted for senior hoop Brad Stewart this time and I am expecting him to settle midfield in the run.
Having won 4 times at this distance, the Deagon trained galloper should get every chance to make amends for last start’s missed opportunity.
Flemington Race 3 Tip #3 El Patroness $3.70
This 3YO filly is racing in great fashion against the boys and now she returns to her own sex.
Two starts back she defeated Tiz Magic and Gunstock over 1800 metres at Flemington and then at her last start she was run down by Gunstock over 2000 metres at Caulfield.
On that occasion Gunstock ran 1.3 seconds faster than the filly's division won by Daisies.
From barrier two look for Brett Prebble to position her either in front or right on the speed.
From there Prebble will be able to control the tempo and El Patroness will be hard to run down.
Eagle Farm R4 Tip #4 Refero $2.05
After opening short in the market, I was hoping this star on the rise gelding would drift. Now out to $2+ we can launch.
To my eye this looks to be a two-horse war with main rival Stellar Magic.
Refero returned to the races last start at the Sunshine Coast, first up since May in convicning fashion.
While the form behind him hasn’t subsequently produced much, the win was strong on the clock.
He jumped well, settled perfectly, and put them to bed without hitting top gear. He ran 56.93s which is very strong considering he carried 59kg resuming.
He drops 2kg into this affair and meets Stellar Magic who beat him last prep in the Dalrello.
It is worth noting however that Stella had a 2kg edge that day and carries top weight Saturday.
In the Dalrello, Refero worked early from barrier 10 to sit handy, however this early work caused him to give out late. On the contrary Stellar enjoyed the cosy rails run.
This Saturday, Refero will jump from barrier 3 and take the sit on the rails one back.
Stellar, from barrier 8, will have to make the decision early to push forward on that tight first bend, or sit back and potentially over race again.
After taking all this into consideration I think Refero has enough in his favour to turn the tables this time around.
Newcastle Race 2 Tip #11 Tavi L'Amour $ - TBD
This filly only found one better on debut and was collared late by Miss In Charge who had race fitness on their side.
Tavi was quickly put out to the spelling paddock and has been given time.
Her first up trial this time in was good, making ground behind subsequent winner Gundy Bridge.
I am not sure about the strength of the opposition in the most recent trial, but it was very encouraging the way she was making ground late.
She looks ready to go on with it this preparation.