Renowned trainer Chris Waller is counting on a repeat of past successes as he aims for his fourth Victoria Derby title at Flemington.
Waller has two contenders, Stormy Marco and True Tone, set to compete in Saturday’s prestigious 2500-metre Group 1 Classic, each having followed distinct paths to reach this point.
Significantly, the lead-up races for both horses mirror those Waller’s previous Derby-winning campaigns.
His inaugural Derby victory was with Preferment in 2014.
Preferment narrowly missed out in the Geelong Classic (2200m) before securing a decisive win in the Derby.
Following a maiden win at Warwick Farm, True Tone finished third in the Geelong Classic, encountering some interference late in the run.
“True Tone ran a place in the Geelong Classic, in the 2200-metre race, and that was a good test for him at his first run beyond a mile,” Waller stated.
“It was a big step up, but it was a pass mark, and he’ll be ready to run 2500 metres on Saturday.
“He is in some ways similar to Preferment, although Preferment came through the Geelong Classic then won his maiden in the Victoria Derby before going on to win a number of Group 1 races afterwards.
“There’s a small similarity there.”
Stormy Marco, who is considered the stronger chance in the betting compared to his stablemate, enters the Derby from the same race that Manzoice contested before his 2022 Derby triumph.
Manzoice finished eighth in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, a week prior to his Derby victory.
Stormy Marco secured fourth place in that event last week, making up ground from the rear of the field, and Waller confirmed the decision to send him to Melbourne was made on Sunday.
“His run was good in Sydney in the Spring Champion,” Waller commented.
“They have to be very fit to run the 2500 metres in the Victoria Derby, and he has that on his side, and his breeding suggests he can get the trip.
“He’s by Wootton Basset, an international sire, that continues to make headlines in the Northern Hemisphere and down here, so from that aspect, yes he can run the trip, on the dam side, there is enough there to suggest the distance shouldn’t be a problem.”
For punters looking to get involved, the Victoria Derby presents a fantastic opportunity to back a contender with Australian betting sites.