Ciaron Maher’s pursuit of a second consecutive Victoria Derby victory is gaining pace this weekend, with the stable’s leading two colts set to contest their final lead-up races for the $3 million Group 1 event.

Vallice and Skua will both run in the $240,000 Group 3 Sportsbet Classic over 2000 metres at Caulfield on October 31, the race that opens the Caulfield Cup Day program. Maher secured last year’s Derby with Observer.

Jack Turnbull, national assistant trainer for Maher, confirmed the Derby has been a primary focus for both Vallice and Skua.

“We’ve got other horses on the fringe, but in terms of winning the race, you couldn’t go past Vallice or Skua of our team,” Turnbull stated. “Skua is a genuine staying horse, he probably wants to be ridden on-speed because he’ll lengthen, whereas Vallice is more dynamic and has a good turn of foot.”

Vallice demonstrated his potential in his last start, finishing second among the colts and geldings in the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington. He was 2-1/2 lengths behind the impressive winner, Miss Waititi.

This marked the colt’s fourth run of the campaign and his first placing this season. He is by Maurice, the same stallion who sired Maher’s previous Victoria Derby champion, Hitotsu, and is out of a German mare by Guiliani.

“We were trying to ride him a bit closer that day, but how circumstances unfolded he got back and it actually was perfect like a Derby trial up in trip,” Turnbull explained.

In the Super Impose Stakes, Vallice finished four placings and nearly 2-1/2 lengths ahead of Skua. However, Turnbull was understanding of the latter’s performance, noting his challenging run.

“He had a bit of a tricky run last start, he was wide and got out of position, but his work late was good on possibly an unfavourable track,” Turnbull said. “He’s shifted down to Cranbourne since, we’ve given him a few good bits of work and I think the change of environment is going to help have him spot on. The further he goes up in the distance the better I think he will go.”

Both of Maher’s contenders drew the outside barriers in the nine-horse Caulfield Classic field. Ethan Brown will pilot Skua from the widest gate, marking his first ride on the colt, while Mark Zahra will continue his partnership with Vallice.

Consider the Victoria Derby a wide-open affair with many contenders lining up; explore the best Australian betting sites for all the racing odds.