Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Throughout the history of racing in Australia, the G1 VRC Derby and G1 VRC Oaks have been near-constant headlines of the yearly racing calendar as a true staying test.
Dividing the 3-year-old crop of the day into their respective sexes, the honour roll for both boasts a who’s who of both racing and breeding in Australia and New Zealand.
The victory of Manzoice (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) in the Derby last year provided his sire with his first Group 1 win, while She’s Extreme (Extreme Choice) was able to add to her impressive record with a gritty win in the Oaks.
As the picture for both races has developed, a number of up-and-coming stallions have found themselves represented in both races, alongside a number of established forces amongst the local staying ranks.
With the running of both races rapidly approaching, here’s a look at some of the leading contenders, and their stallions.
Part 1: VRC Derby
Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA} x Missile Coda {Smart Missile})
Bursting onto the scene with a powerful 5.5l win in the Listed Super Impose S. at the start of October, Riff Rocket immediately shot to prominence as a Derby hopeful. Trainer Chris Waller followed the traditional lead-up pathway by going to the G3 Caulfield S. with his promising gelding, a race in which he was narrowly defeated by Sunsets (Dundeel {NZ}). Despite missing out on consecutive stakes victories by the barest of margins, he is still amongst the top contenders for the race.
Riff Rocket (purple and white cap) and Sunsets (blue and beige cap) battling it out in the G3 Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
He is by Triple Crown-winning sire American Pharoah (USA), a son of Pioneerof The Nile (USA), who himself was dominant up to 2400 metres, winning the G1 Belmont S. by 5.5l. His progeny so far have indicated a bright future worldwide in the staying ranks, with Above The Curve (USA) winning the G1 Prix-Saint Alary over 2000 metres, while Pista (USA) won the G2 Park Hill Fillies’ S. over 2921 metres. Already the sire of seven individual Group 1 winners, Riff Rocket would be his first Group 1 winner in Australia. American Pharoah stands at Coolmore for a fee of US$50,000 (AU$78,500).
Apulia (Fiorente {Ire} x Giannarelli {High Chaparral {Ire}})
Placing himself firmly into Derby contention with an impressive 2l victory in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase on Saturday, Apulia has built himself into form nicely after winning a Cranbourne maiden in August. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained colt looked to relish the speed set in the race, and was running through the line strongly. Given his strength at the end of 2040 metres, stepping up to the Derby distance of 2500 metres looks viable, and he profiles as a leading hope.
The win would also give the late Fiorente (Ire) his first Group 1 winner as a stallion. Despite not yet producing a winner at the highest level, he has sired a number of talented stayers, including Lunar Flare, a multiple stakes-winning mare at distances up to 2500 metres. He also produced 2018 VRC Derby second-place getter Stars Of Carrum, who won the G2 Moonee Valley Vase prior to a 1l defeat at the hands of Extra Brut (Domesday).
Verdad (Justify {USA} x Whistle Baby {Magnus})
Like Apuila, Verdad will advance to the Derby off a run in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase, although he had to settle for second after leading at a strong pace. A second placing in the G2 Bill Stutt S. and a sixth in the G1 Caulfield Guineas has built the gelding up with plenty of race fitness, and he looks likely to be one of the key speed influences in the race on Saturday.
Verdad | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Much like Riff Rocket earlier on, Verdad is by a Triple Crown-winning stallion, this time in the form of Justify (USA), who completed the feat in 2018. His first Southern Hemisphere crop (which includes Verdad) has already boasted a host of stakes winners, including fellow Derby hopeful Air Assault. While building a strong record as a stallion in Australia, his Northern Hemisphere success has also been instant, siring G1 Belmont Oaks winner Aspen Grove (USA), G1 Woody Stephens S. winner Arabian Lion (USA), and G1 Dewhurst S. winner City Of Troy (USA). A win in the Derby would be his first Group 1 success in Australia. Currently standing at Coolmore Australia for $77,000 inc GST.
Cap Ferrat (Snitzel x C’est Beau La Vie {Bernardini {USA}})
With confirmation that Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) will not advance to the Derby after his win in the G1 Spring Champion S. on Saturday, Cap Ferrat now heads south of the Murray River as the leading Sydney form reference this year. He was closing strongly behind Tom Kitten when they met on Saturday, continuing his good form after a narrow third in the G3 Gloaming S. over 1800 metres. The second Chris Waller horse to feature in this column so far, the colt has been building nicely into his crack at the Derby, and looks well positioned to be a key influence in the result.
Little introduction is needed for Snitzel, who is well established as a top stallion within Australia. An earner of over $208 million, the centrepiece of Arrowfield Stud’s roster is still yet to add a Derby or Oaks to his incredible record. He’s had a number get close, Aliyana Tide was second in the G1 ATC Oaks in 2013, Tangled was third placegetter in the 2018 G1 ATC Derby, and Golconda held down third in the 2014 G1 VRC Oaks. With the form Cap Ferrat has displayed in recent runs, he looks like a strong hope to give his sire a maiden Derby, and 132nd stakes winner. His current service fee is $247,500 (inc GST).
Ganbare (Maurice {Jpn} x Mardi {Redoute's Choice})
The second runner out of the G1 Spring Champion S. likely to back up and contest the Derby, Ganbare was able to retain third after being amongst the speed influences throughout the race. It was a continuation of strong form throughout the spring, having picked up the Listed Dulcify S. over 1600 metres two starts prior. Trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, he looks the leading hope out of Tulloch Lodge this season to claim a major 3-year-old staying feature.
Ganbare | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
If he was to be successful, it would be the second time in three years for his sire Maurice (Jpn), who sired 2021 winner Hitotsu. The star colt would go on to win the 2022 G1 ATC Derby, completing a rare double, before taking up residence at Arrowfield Stud (along with his sire). Maurice has proven himself to be a dual-hemisphere success, with Jack D’or (Jpn), Geraldina (Jpn) and Pixie Night (Jpn) all successful in Group 1 races. Within Australia, he has produced 2022 G1 Doomben 10,000 winner Mazu, along with 2022 G2 Alister Clark S. winner Bank Maur. Maurice’s 2023 service fee is $82,500 (inc GST).
Sunsets (Dundeel {NZ} x Waterloo Sunset {Fastnet Rock})
Boasting arguably the best credentials leading into Saturday, Sunsets was able to get the better of Riff Rocket in a thrilling finish to the G3 Caulfield S. With the race serving as a historically valuable reference for who will be able to stay the Derby trip, a forward showing was vital, and he showed tenacity late when challenged. That toughness, alongside his ability to be tactically versatile, should hold him in good stead to be a leading hopeful.
His sire, Dundeel (NZ), is no stranger to success in 3-year-old Classics, having himself won the 2013 G1 ATC Derby by 6l, in an incredible display of equine power. While he is yet to sire a winner of a VRC or ATC Derby, he has produced a G1 SA Derby winner in Dunkel, along with Group 1 winners Truly Great, Militarize (NZ) and Castelvecchio. If Sunsets can taste victory on Saturday, he will be Dundeel’s eighth individual Group 1 winner. He currently stands at Arrowfield Stud for a fee of $82,500 (inc GST).
Part 2: VRC Oaks
Tropical Squall (Prized Icon x Squalls {Fusaichi Pegasus {USA}})
Casting our eye over the fillies now, and despite a narrow defeat in the G3 Ethereal S. at Caulfield last start, Group 1-winning filly Tropical Squall presents as a leading contender heading into next Thursday. Although run down in the final strides by Autumn Angel (The Autumn Sun), her performance was gallant enough to indicate she can stay the Oaks trip without too many issues. Already a winner of the G1 Flight S. for 3-year-old fillies, she looks to have a bright future ahead of her.
Tropical Squall | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
She is also the first stakes winner for Prized Icon, a son of More Than Ready (USA), who to date has had just 17 runners. A winner of the G1 Champagne S. as a 2-year-old, he would continue his ascent to racetrack greatness with a 2.5l win in the 2016 G1 VRC Derby. The rest of his career saw him become well established within Australian racing’s middle-distance ranks, placing in the G1 Chipping Norton S. and G2 Crystal Mile. The dual Group 1 winner was retired in 2018, and currently stands at Kooringal Stud for a fee of $8800 (inc GST).
Basilinna (Staphanos {Jpn} x So Royal {NZ} {Shinko King {Ire}})
Storming into Oaks contention off the back of a sensational third in the G3 Ethereal S. last start, Basilinna has emerged as a key Group 1 hopeful for husband-and-wife training partnership Emma Lee and David Browne. Appearing to relish the step up in distance to 2000 metres, the filly made strong late ground from a long way back to grab third, 2l off the winner Autumn Angel. Her maiden win at Cranbourne is her only victory to date, but she is building at the right time and looks well suited rising to 2500 metres next Thursday.
Basilinna | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Her success would be a major coup for Staphanos (Jpn), who is by legendary sire Deep Impact (Jpn). Already the producer of a Group 1 winner in the form of Pignan (Jpn), he is beginning to find his feet as a stallion, with up-and-coming horses Medatsu (NZ) and Lady Sass (NZ) showing some promise in New Zealand. His racetrack record saw him compete over five years across both Japan and Hong Kong, winning the G3 Fuji S. and placing in both the G1 Autumn Tenno Sho and G1 QEII Cup. Now residing in Novara Park in New Zealand, his current service fee is NZ$15,000 (plus GST).
Zardozi (Kingman {GB} x Chanderi {GB} {Dubawi {Ire}})
Likely to represent the powerhouse Godolphin operation as a leading Oaks contender this season is Zardozi, who announced herself as a major player with a 1.5l victory in the G2 Edward Manifold S. early in the spring. Entered for the G2 Wakeful S. at Flemington on Saturday, a strong performance would almost certainly see her progress on to run next Thursday, where she looms as a key contender.
She is by Kingman (GB), who has quickly established himself as a versatile stallion. A dual-hemisphere success, his progeny have earnt over $63 million to date, and he boasts an impressive 66.6 per cent winners-to-runners. The sire of the all-conquering Palace Pier (GB), Japanese star Schnell Mesiter (Ger) and eight time winner Persian King (Ire), he also has an Australian Group 1 winner to his name in the form of King Colorado. He stands for £125,000 (AU$238,200) at Juddmonte in the United Kingdom and $75,000 (inc GST) in the Southern Hemisphere.
Served Cold (Shamus Award x Sure You Can {NZ} {O'Reilly {NZ}})
The winner of the Listed Geelong Classic for local trainer Danny O’Brien, Served Cold re-entered the Oaks picture with a gritty win against the boys last Wednesday. A winner of two races from four starts, both of her successes have come at her home track, having missed a placing as a short-priced favourite at Flemington in the VRC Oaks Trial. Her win on Wednesday indicated is right up to it within this current crop of fillies, and she commands plenty of respect leading into her shot at a Group 1.
Served Cold | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
There’s been success here before for Shamus Award, who in a relatively short time frame has established himself as one of the leading local staying sires. He already has a VRC Oaks to his name in the form of El Patroness (who is a full sister to Served Cold), as well as a G1 Queensland Oaks winner in Duais and G1 Australasian Oaks winner Media Award. If Served Cold can claim glory next Thursday, she will join the three aforementioned, as well as Incentivise and Mr Quickie as Shamus Award’s Group 1-winning progeny. For the 2023 season, he is standing at Rosemont stud for a fee of $60,500 (inc GST).
Tutta La Vita (The Autumn Sun x Negotiate {Red Ransom {USA}})
Emerging as the leading Sydney-based hope for this year's running of the Oaks, Tutta La Vita comes out of the G1 Spring Champion S. Her fourth-placed effort was a good run from the second half of the field, narrowly missing out on a top-three finish. She is already Group 1-placed, having held third in the G1 Flight S. at the start prior. While she is yet to win a stakes race, she has shown plenty of ability, including as a 2-year-old. If she can see out the 2500 metre trip next Thursday, she profiles as a genuine threat.
Success would also mean a breakthrough Group 1 for The Autumn Sun, the superstar son of Redoute’s Choice, who is building up an arsenal of exciting juveniles out of his first crop. Already the sire of Group 2 winner Autumn Ballet and Group 3 winner Autumn Angel, his progeny look to be developing into high-class types as they mature. Himself a five-time Group 1 winner on the racetrack, he stands at Arrowfield Stud in 2023 for a fee of $66,000 (inc GST).
