The $2million ATC Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick this Saturday will be a fascinating watch even without elite colts Autumn Boy and Attica, who have elected to roll the dice in the Doncaster instead, but there are more horses in this race outside of the two established Derby heroes Observer (Victoria) and Road to Paris (New Zealand).
No point looking at pedigrees for horses that have already won a G1 Derby, that box is ticked but for some of these others a close look might help you with trifecta selections.
Observer will fly the Godolphin flag, but there is plenty of confidence about their other runner Green Spaces coming off a last start second in the Group I ATC Rosehill Guineas.
He is by Street Boss (USA), who is an outstanding stallion and has sired 88 stakes-winners worldwide, but not one of those stakes-winners has been successful beyond 2000m although you could count Anamoe, who did win a Cox Plate at 2040m and was never tried over further.
Green Spaces is no Anamoe, but he does have a deep pedigree.
He is a three-quarter brother to Group I winning sprinter Trekking, who never won beyond 1400m, but punters can take heart from his grand-dam Serenade Rose, who was the Champion 3YO Filly of her generation and won both the Group I VRC Oaks and Australian Oaks… he’ll be needing to channel some of her stamina after they turn for home.
Storm Leopard has come late to this party by way of a last start win in the Group II ATC Tulloch Stakes last Saturday and it was a big win, enough to warrant paying the late entry into this race and by all accounts the Lindsay Park team are happy with him coming to the quick back up.
He’s a Godolphin bred in disguise as they ditched his dam Brilliance at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $260,000 in foal to Ghaiyyath (IRE) and he is the result of that mating.
Brilliance is a blueblood, an unraced Street Cry (IRE) sibling to Group I winners Epaulette, Helmet and Pericles (who runs in the Doncaster), not to mention Group winners Pearls and Bullbars (sire of Mr Brightside) and Lavalier, who ran second in the Group I SA Derby.
Before Storm Leopard emerged on the scene, Brilliance was staring down the barrel of mediocrity having produced four average winners by champion sires Exceed and Excel, Snitzel and Lonhro, but a change in pace with a mating to a European Horse of the Year in Ghaiyyath has revived her fortunes.
In a race with a long tail, Storm Leopard is my top pick.
Let’s take a quick look through the rest in search of the stayers!
4/ Deal Done Fast (Dundeel) – By a great sire of Classic winners from a top class international female family and not quite sure how he’s still a maiden. Placed in Victoria Derby and can place here.
6/ One Step Closer (Castelvecchio) – By the same sire as last year’s winner Aeliana and Castelveccio is by Dundeel. Dam was bred in Japan and plenty of staying SW’s on the page.
7/ Federalist (I Am Invincible) – By a champion sire that does not produce stayers and this guy is still a maiden and likely to remain so on Saturday.
8/ Savisanta (Savabeel)- By champion sire that does get stayers and he was sixth in the Victoria Derby and is a stronger horse now so can improve.
9/ Victorious Spirit (Ghaiyyath (IRE) – Third runner in in the race for Ghaiyyath although does come from more of a speed female family, but dam is by Zabeel sire Reset and if you can forgive last start when he had excuses, I’m not thinking pedigree will give him an excuse this time.
10/ Kaye Jay (Crackerjack King (IRE) – By an elite Euro G1 winning stayer, albeit not a fashionable sire, and dam is by High Chaparral from Queensland Oaks placed Rathsallagh. He is bred to think it’s Christmas when he goes over 2400m!
11/ Bingi (Snitzel) – Snitzel has one Derby winner in Hong Kong at 2000m and zero Classic winners here over the real 2400m classic trip, so Bingi is a no for me on pedigree.
12/ Are You Kidding(Castelvecchio) Second runner in the race for Castelvecchio and he is looking like staying will be his thing, but for a first go at Black Type he’s being pitched into the deep end and I don’t see him swimming.
13/ Dezignation (So You Think) – Full brother to Group I ATC Queen of the Turf Stakes winner Nimalee, but lacks her turn of foot. Has had a few goes at 2400m in easier grade and there was no joy.
