It’s Christmas time for punters as this year’s Spring racing season enters the final straight, culminating with the four-day Melbourne Cup carnival.
We kick things off on Saturday with Australia’s most prestigious day of racing, Derby Day, which features nine Group races headlined by the $2M Group One Victoria Derby.
Derby Day often separates the men from the boys as the deep and competitive fields cause plenty of headaches, with punters hard pressed to stand out a single runner to carry their hard-earned.
It is for this reason that we suggest betting wide, playing safe and opting for a Quadrella.
If you’re going to pull off a Quaddie there is no better day to do it than Derby Day, with some thumping pay-outs in recent years. The 2016 Quaddie pool was just over $32K, whilst the year before totalled $12.5K.
This week we have set out to navigate the minefield of the Derby Day Quaddie in an attempt to give you the best chance of getting a slice of this year’s pie.
We're confident that we've found the right form lines this year and have narrowed our selections to 54 combinations- with a $50 bet that will give you a 92.5% stake of the pool.
#2 Invincibella $10
Was dominant two starts back at Flemington and then got too far out of her ground at Caulfield last start, before powering home late to run second.
Well suited back to Flemington and is one of two Chris Waller trained runners who looks to have the race at their mercy.
#3 Shillelagh $8
Her last victory was in WFA company in the Kennedy Mile (Cantala Stakes) one-year ago.
That win came third-up into her preparation, with Chris Waller again opting for the same formula leading into this.
Her two runs this preparation have been huge, expect her to be peaking for this run and prove too good for her rivals.
#1 Thinkin' Big $3.10
Returned to the winner's stall last start when he led all the way.
He is rock hard fit, and with his expected forward position running them along, should prove hard to run down.
#4 Stars of Currum $9
Relished the rise in distance when he broke his maiden in Group 3 company at Moonee Valley last start.
Can't see any reason why he won't enjoy the extra 500m and is a genuine contender.
#5 Home Ground $21
Impressed with a strong win in the Geelong Classic over 2200m and is another who will relish the step up to 2500m.
Not the roughest and must include at a price.
#1 Hartnell $7
A multiple Group 1 winner who is in career best form.
Drawn perfectly in barrier nine, Hugh Bowman will follow the pace across and sit mid-field with cover. Clear top pick!
#2 Le Romain #13
Impressed with a strong effort in The Everest, beating home some of the world's highest-rated sprinters.
Two starts ago he ran second to Winx over 1600m.
Saves his best for the wet tracks, but is effective on top of the ground.
#4 Land of Plenty $4.80
Was an impressive winner last start when defeating Hartnell in the Toorak Handicap.
Meets Hartnell 2.5kg worse at the weights, which will even the gap. Must include.
#5 Jorda $26
Gets back to the scene of her last win and is well suited by the Flemington straight.
The inside draw is a concern, however it's likely they'll come down the middle of the track which should allow her every chance.
#6 Resin $6
The stablemate to Jorda, who is in career best form and taking all before her.
She'll be ridden in the top half of the field and should get every chance to continue her winning ways.
#14 Za Zi Ba $67
This is a huge rise in class, but the Widdup stable wouldn't be sending her down to Melbourne if she wasn't flying.
She defeated She Knows three starts back, who has opened $12.
There was a huge difference in weights that day, however the price gap is too significant.
She's the blow out we want to bring us home!