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World racing powerhouse Godolphin is in prime position to land the two major group 1 races at Flemington on Saturday as it continues to flourish under its new multiple-trainer model.
The blue army has cornered the Coolmore Stud Stakes market with the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris expected to fight out the finish with the racing organisation’s other boom colt, the Chris Waller-trained Beiwacht.
Godolphin also has the short-priced favourite Observer, trained by Ciaron Maher, running in the VRC Derby.
The Age dissects the Derby Day program to rate the leading chances:
VRC Derby Day
First race: 12.20pm
Caulfield Cup: 5.40pm
Track: Good 4. Rail: True. Weather: Cloudy, a top of 21 degrees.
Race 6 – $2m Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), 3.40pm
The favourite: The Sam Freedman-trained Tentyris has nudged ahead in the betting after a scintillating win in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield. Trained to the minute, ridden by gun Mark Zahra and will smoke the pipe before launching late.
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The threat: There appears to be only one danger to Tentyris – fellow Godolphin colt Beiwacht. Absolutely brained them in the Golden Rose in Sydney in record time, leading from the front. A repeat of that performance would see him near impossible to run down.
The roughies: If there are any chinks in the armours of the two favourites, then Beadman and Skyhook looks the most likely to pounce.
Coolmore Stud Stake tips: 1st Tentyris (No.3), 2nd Beiwacht (No.1), 3rd Beadman (No.10), 4th Skyhook (No.5).
Danny Russell says: This looks like a match-race between Godolphin colts Tentyris and Beiwacht. I’m leaning towards the Freedman-trained Tentyris by a nose.
Race 7 – $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m), 4.20pm
The favourite: Observer is all the rage, and for good reason. He was unlucky not to win the group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) before cruising to victory in last week’s Moonee Valley Vase (2040m). The only query is his ability to stay the 2500m Derby trip, but expect jockey Mark Zahra to park him behind the speed and launch late.
The threats: Both Sydneysiders Providence and O’Sheamus finished off well in the Moonee Valley Vase last week, which suggests they will handle the extra 500m. They don’t have the brilliance of Observer.
The roughies: If the Derby becomes a war of attrition, then a bolter such as Arcora or Freddie Bassett might be worth including in trifectas, first fours or even quaddies.
VRC Derby tips: 1st Observer (No.1), 2nd Providence (No.6), 3rd Azazel (No.7), 4th Miewa (No.4).
Russell says: Banking on a moderate pace up front that will allow Observer to tuck in behind them and then explode over the final 400m.
Fangirl wins the King Charles Stakes in Sydney last year.Credit: Getty
Russell’s best bet: Fangirl (Race 8, No.2) – While Pride Of Jenni (No.1) has been Fangirl’s kryptonite, expecting the Sydney superstar to be too strong late here.
Russell’s roughie: Exnuto (Race 5, No.12) – Held up for a run last start and should get a lovely sit from gate three.
Derby Day quaddie: 1st leg: 1, 3; 2nd leg: 1, 6, 9; 3rd leg: 1, 2, 8; 4th leg: 2, 3, 5, 10, 13, 14.
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