Gone are the days of it being the third Group 1 race on Stradbroke Day, and the Queensland Derby is now one of two feature races on the appropriately titled ‘Derby Day’ at Eagle Farm this weekend.
Plenty of classy three-year-old colts and geldings have been confirmed in a capacity Queensland Derby field that is headlined by Australian Derby/South Australian Derby champion Explosive Jack.
Will the Maher & Eustace-trained stayer add another Derby to his resume? Find out what I think in the 2021 Queensland Derby Tips below.
Queensland Derby – Winner
No. 9 Senor Toba – Bet Now: $5.50
When he charged home to score in impressive fashion in the Frank Packer Plate I earmarked Senor Toba as my Queensland Derby horse, and I don’t see any reason to jump off.
The Toronado gelding broke his maiden at The Valley in January was returned to the paddock with a view towards the Brisbane winter.
He clearly needed the run when he finished down the order over 1400m on the Kensington course at Randwick when resuming, but he was obviously huge in the Frank Packer Plate, and I thought he was the run of the race when third in the Rough Habit a fortnight ago.
He has drawn the outside barrier, but he’ll settle off the pace regardless, and he should get every opportunity on the big Eagle Farm track.
Queensland Derby – 2nd
No. 1 Explosive Jack – Bet Now: $2.60
To be honest, I actually thought that the South Australian Derby was an afterthought for this galloper and while he made me look silly there, surely the Queensland Derby is a bridge too far.
There is obviously no arguing with Explosive Jack’s record and ability, and two Group 1 wins during his three-year-old season is an enormous feat.
He clearly has the fitness, the runs on the board and a class edge over a lot of his rivals, and as long as he hasn’t come to the end of his prep, there really isn’t any reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Queensland Derby – 3rd
No. 8 Horrifying – Bet Now: $13.00
Horrifying is on the short back-up from an impressive win at Flemington last week and he retains the services of Jamie Kah in the Queensland Derby – TICK!
A son of trainer Mark Kavanagh’s Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, Horrifying raced well in some lesser contests earlier this prep, breaking his maiden at Sandown last month and finishing second behind Our Lone Star in a 1700m handicap at Flemington most notably before winning again last weekend.
His brings a unique form line into the Queensland Derby and with even luck, he certainly appears to have the ability.
Queensland Derby – 4th
No. 2 Let’s Karaka Deel – Bet Now: $7.50
I haven’t completely agreed with their market order, but I think that the bookies have the correct four horses occupying the top four lines of Queensland Derby betting, and Let’s Karaka Deel can fight out the finish.
The Dundeel gelding has been a model of consistency this preparation, and he has finished second in each of the Mornington Guineas, Port Adelaide Guineas and South Australian Derby since resuming this time.
He looks to be absolutely cherry ripe ahead of the Queensland Derby and looks a nice bit of value at around the $7.50 mark.
Queensland Derby Tips
- 4 Units straight out #9 Senor Toba
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below