Derby Day Races

[Sultan of spin]

What are everyone's selectons for the races tomorrow? It is a great day of of Racing with 9 group races including 3 group 1's.

My slections are: Race 3 Saab Quality- Legible, hasn't been far away recently and should be able to beat these

Race 4 Nestle Peters Classic- Zanna, very impressive at the valley last start i think she could do it again

Race 5 Wakeful Stakes- Special Harmony, excellent form if she wins she looks a moral for the oaks

Race 6 Victoria Derby- Looks a 3 way go between Face Value, Kempinsky and Elvstroem. Maybe a box trifecta might be the way to go.

Race 7 Mackinnon Stakes- Fields of Omagh, no explanation required but if the track is wet Pentstic looks a huge chance. Wet track won't suit Mummify so if it is wet i think he'll be scratched.

Race 8 Salinger Stakes- Looks a like a top race with many chances but it is hard to fault Thorn Park after his blistering 1400m win at Caulfield a fort night ago, although my old favorite Bomber Bill loves Flemington and has won 3 out of 6 on dead tracks and got me the money a few weeks ago with a big win at Flemington so he might be the go again.

Race 9 Yallambee Stud Stakes- Lord Volksraad , I'll stick with him even though he has a habbit of running second. Shogun Lodge could be a danger after a very impressive first up win in Sydney despite carry 61 kg.

I don't know if any of these tips will be any good cos I've been struggling to get a winner recently. I backed only 1 winner but 6 seconds out of 8 bets last week.

[JLC]

Ok here are some of my thoughts:

Race 4 - Forum Floozie only thing against it is Gauci. Faith Hill and Sylvaner

Race 5 - Special Harmony and Generosa

Race 6 - Noble Red or Kempinsky

Race 7 - Pentastic, Ambulance and Distinctly Secret

Race 8 - Thorn Park, Bomber Bill or Titanic Jack

Race 9 - Mr Magoo

jlc

[Donny]

Thanks, Sultan.

Zanna paid better in Melbourne but the $5.20 here was a nice start to the day for me.

[Donny]

Special Harmony is far too short for me at a drifting $2.70. Generosa is also easing at $3.80. Then it's 10/1 or higher for the rest.

I'll have a roughy in Tully Belotto which is on $38.00 here. Little each way.

[HAL]

You are special.

[Donny]

Thanks, HAL. You're OK yourself.

Timbourina (10/1) held off Special Harmony.

Tully Belotto is still going.

[HAL]

You are quite welcome! ""? Me, Mike McGear ?

[Donny]

Who do you like better, HAL, good ol' Jack Burton or Mike McGear ?

[Donny]

NSW aproximates:

1. Face Value (10) 6.30 1.90
2. Kempinsky (13) 4.90 2.10
3. Elvstroem (5) 3.90 1.90
4. Penitentiary (11) 6.10 1.90
5. Noble Red (3) 4.50 1.60

On that market, it's a fairly open Derby, this year. I'll go the fave. Damien Oliver to win his 3rd. Derby.

[Donny]

Great staying performance from Elvstroem and Oliver.

Talking through my pocket ? Yes, but that was a top effort.

[Donny]

Mummify, F of O, Ambulance, Distinctly Secret, Pentastic ??

Good race to watch and enjoy.

[Donny]

The big boys are throwing money at Fields of Omagh as Mummify drifts.

[HAL]

Tell me more.

[Donny]

Casual Pass becomes the first 3 y.o. in 55 years to win the McKinnon.

What a BIG run by Pentastic. Will firm markedly for the Cup.

[Donny]

Elvstroem wins Derby
November 1, 2003 - Fox

A WELL-JUDGED plan by trainer Tony Vasil was carried out to the letter by champion jockey Damien Oliver to give Elvstroem victory over arch-rival Kempinsky in today's $1.25 million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.

Kempinsky, who nudged Elvstroem out of first place in last week's AAMI Vase (2000m) at Moonee Valley, was up tracking Face Value from the outset with Oliver settling the favourite back in the field.

It was a turnaround from the Vase in which Elvstroem led. This time it was Kempinsky who was the sitting duck when Face Value weakened in the straight and Oliver set about his task in earnest.

Elvstroem rounded his fellow Danehill colt up at the 200m and speared away to win by 1-1/2 lengths.

The two were a cut above the rest who were headed by Our Bahare 3-1/4 lengths from the runner-up.

"He races a touch keen but I told Damien not to worry, just to try to settle him down," Vasil said.

"Going out of the straight the first time he had his head in the air but after that he calmed down.

"I had no doubt he would run out the trip, he's very tough although he is still learning what it is all about."

For Oliver it was his third win in the Classic, and one that was hard earned.

"He went very keen early and I had to work hard," he said.

"When we got going at the end of the race it took a bit of getting to the leader but his toughness was what got him there."

For Vasil, the win was one to savour. A year ago he became disillusioned and almost gave up training and a week ago he was dismayed when the Moonee Valley Racing Club deemed Elvstroem was not good enough to run in the Cox Plate.

Vasil joined the Aquanita Racing organisation made up of four trainers who all do their own thing but have the support of an administration team to look after all the paperwork the hands-on Vasil despises.

The move means he is now free to do what he does best, giving his horses individual attention in preparation for winning races.

Right from the start, he knew Elvstroem was something special and the colt's breeding had Derby written all over it being by Danehill out of AJC Oaks winner Circles Of Gold.

"He has untapped potential and I don't know where he'll end up," Vasil said.

"He can only get stronger and I think he's a great weight-for-age horse in the making.

"I don't want to dwell on the past but I thought the Moonee Valley committee failed to use its discretionary power last week.

"I understand that normally the Cox Plate is a star-studded race but this year's would have to be the worst since Rising Prince won in 1985.

"It's only the second time in 74 years there hasn't been a three-year-old in the race and I know he would have run well.

"But that's all over now and I've won a Derby. What a great thrill that is and there's a lot more to come from this horse yet."