Thirty three-year-olds are still heading towards the 2010 Victoria Derby this Melbourne Cup Carnival after first declarations for the spring feature were taken by Racing Victoria yesterday.
Originally 87 runners were nominated for the $1.5 million Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), set to take place at Flemington on Saturday October 30, meaning 57 horses dropped out of contention for the premier three-year-olds showdown of the season.
Notable absentees from the 2010 Victoria Derby field after first acceptances included one time favourite Altius, and the Peter Moody-trained duo Anacheeva, likely to be spelled ahead of the autumn, and Eclair Surprise.
Winner of the UCI Stakes at Flemington on October 3, Eclair Surprise was another one of the top fancies in the Victoria Derby betting but had to be withdrawn due to injury.
It was a big blow for Caulfield-based trainer Moody, who is now left without a runner in the 2010 Victoria Derby field.
Notable Absentees from 2010 Victoria Derby First Declarations:
- Altius (Tony Vasil)
- Anacheeva (Peter Moody)
- Eclair Surprise (Peter Moody)
- Giresun (Peter Snowden)
- Howddidydoit (Rick Worthington)
- Intencion (Tony Vasil)
- Liveandletdie (Mark Kavanagh)
Following the Victoria Derby first declarations, the clear favourite is the Peter Snowden-trained Retrieve further firming in the SportsBet markets into $2.80.
Other runners now at the top of the Victoria Derby odds are equal $7 second favourites Rekindled Interest and Almindoro, Smokin Joey at $8.50 and $10 chance Digital Fortress.
2010 Victoria Derby Betting Favourites Following First Declarations:
- Retrieve ($2.80)
- Rekindled Interest ($7)
- Almindoro ($7)
- Smokin Joey ($8.50)
- Digital Fortress ($10)
- Cosmonaut ($11)
Odds provided by SportsBet and correct at time of publication.
Retrieve is right on track for the Derby this season after the Rahy colt boosted his career record to four wins from eight starts with a victory in the Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last Saturday.
Norman Robins Stakes runner-up Almindoro and third placegetter Digital Fortress were the other big movers in the market.
The 2010 Victoria Derby final field of acceptances will be released on October 27 and published here.
To view the full markets and updated odds, head to SportsBet now and lock in your Victoria Derby favourites at the best price in Australia!
2010 AAMI Victoria Derby First Declarations
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Ballot | Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RETRIEVE | Peter Snowden | 1 | 55.5 |
| 2 | RUN FOR LEVI | John P Thompson | 2 | 55.5 |
| 3 | LION TAMER (NZ) | Murray & Bjorn Baker | 3 | 55.5 |
| 4 | SMOKIN’ JOEY | Lee Freedman | 4 | 55.5 |
| 5 | KUDAKULARI (NZ) | Bart Cummings | 5 | 55.5 |
| 6 | SHADOWS IN THE SUN | Anthony Cummings | 6 | 55.5 |
| 7 | PRAECIDO (NZ) | David Payne | 7 | 55.5 |
| 8 | BULLBARS | Peter Snowden | 8 | 55.5 |
| 9 | SHOOTOFF (NZ) | Graeme Rogerson | 9 | 55.5 |
| 10 | LUCKYI’MBAREFOOT | Tracey Templeton | 10 | 55.5 |
| 11 | DIGITAL FORTRESS (NZ) | Guy Walter | 11 | 55.5 |
| 12 | ALMINDORO | Steve Richards | 12 | 55.5 |
| 13 | REKINDLED INTEREST | Jim Conlan | 13 | 55.5 |
| 14 | COSMONAUT | Bart Cummings | 14 | 55.5 |
| 15 | KIRINATA | Paul Perry | 15 | 55.5 |
| 16 | ZAKUMI | Tim Martin | 16 | 55.5 |
| 17 | MILESTONE | Lee Freedman | 17 | 55.5 |
| 18 | ULUNDI | Pat Carey | 18 | 55.5 |
| 19 | SHADOWOFEXCELLENCE | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 19 | 55.5 |
| 20 | ABSOLUTELYAWESOME (NZ) | Michael Moroney | 20 | 55.5 |
| 21 | KERCHINGS | Anthony Cummings | 21 | 55.5 |
| 22 | THE CHEVRON (NZ) | Leon Corstens | 22 | 55.5 |
| 23 | ACCLAIMED CHAOS | Peter Healey | 23 | 55.5 |
| 24 | SCOTLAND THE BRAVE | Danny O’Brien | 24 | 55.5 |
| 25 | QUARTERBAR | Michael Moroney | 25 | 55.5 |
| 26 | MR BISSET | Danny O’Brien | 26 | 55.5 |
| 27 | PERFECT PECS | Rick Hore-Lacy | 27 | 55.5 |
| 28 | TEN BELLS INN | Brad Cole | 28 | 55.5 |
| 29 | GLACIER KING | Peter White | 29 | 55.5 |
| 30 | SADDLE THE STARS | Chris Ryan | 30 | 55.5 |
