Pre-race favourite Riff Rocket has taken out the 2023 Victoria Derby in a photo finish over Apulia.
The victory gives trainer Chris Waller a third Derby, while star jockey James McDonald earned a maiden victory in the time-honoured three-year-old contest over 2500m at Flemington.
Riff Rocket jumped at $2.10 and ran down Sunsets in the straight before doing just enough to hold off Apulia and win by a nose.
MORE: Japanese raider Obamburumai wins $10 million Golden Eagle
Your 2023 Penfolds Victory Derby winner is RIFF ROCKET.
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 4, 2023
A powerful win by the promising three-year-old in the $2 Million Group 1 #DerbyDay feature.
📽 @10SportAU pic.twitter.com/OLqhVSNKUL
Sporting News brings you all the results from the 2023 VRC Derby:
Derby Day results, winner
Race 1:
1st. Kaizad
2nd. Heman
3rd. Brave Mead
Race 2:
1st. Kalapour
2nd. Athabascan
3rd. Gan Teorainn
Race 3:
1st. Queen Of The Ball
2nd. Hypothetical
3rd. Dancing Alone
Race 4:
1st. Spacewalk
2nd. Crosshaven
3rd. Najem Suhail
Race 5:
1st. Amazonian Lass
2nd. Zardozi
3rd. Harlow Mist
Race 6:
1st. Ozzmosis
2nd. I Am Unstoppable
3rd. Shinzo
Race 7 - Victoria Derby
1st. Riff Rocket
2nd. Apulia
3rd. Sunsets
Race 8
1st. Pride of Jenni
2nd. Atishu
3rd. Life Lessons
Race 9
1st. Cause for Concern
2nd. Bandersnatch
3rd. Munhamek
What is the Victoria Derby?
Introduced in 1855, the Victoria Derby is a set-weights race contested by three-year-olds over 2500m each spring and compete for their share in $2 million worth of prize money.
The race is run over 2500 metres and first earned Group 1 status in 1979.
When is the 2023 Victoria Derby?
This year's Victoria Derby raceday will take place on Saturday, 4th November.
It will be the seventh of 10 races at Flemington and is expected to jump at 4.20pm AEDT.
How to watch the 2023 Victoria Derby
This year's Victoria Derby raceday will be broadcast live on both Channel 10 and Sky Racing.
Victoria Derby 2023 tickets
To purchase tickets for this year's Victoria Derby, click here.
Victoria Derby 2023 prize money
The prize money for the Victoria Derby sits at $2 million, with the winning connections taking home $1.2 million.
Victoria Derby 2023 final field, barriers and betting odds
The final field for this year's Victoria Derby has been confirmed, with the likes of Riff Rocket and Apulia currently sitting at the top of the betting market.
Odds courtesy of Dabble, correct as of November 4. Say HEY to the social bet, Download the DABBLE app.
| Runner (Barrier) | Jockey | Trainer | Odds |
| 1. Apulia (3) | Mark Zahra | B, W & JD Hayes | $4.60 |
| 2. Verdad (4) | Jye McNeill | R.Griffiths/M.de Kock | $8.50 |
| 3. Air Assault (6) | Ben Allen | Andrew Gluyas | $17 |
| 4. Riff Rocket (5) | James McDonald | Chris Waller | $2.20 |
| 5. Sunsets (16) | John Allen | T.Busuttin/N.Young | $13 |
| 6. Make A Call (15) | Jamie Kah | P & P. Snowden | $51 |
| 7. Gold Bullion (13) | Opie Bossom | G.Waterhouse/A.Bott | $23 |
| 8. Gates (14) | Luke Nolen | P.Moody/K.Coleman | $14 |
| 9. Kosgei (12) | Blake Shinn | T.Busuttin/N.Young | $34 |
| 10. Bulawayo (7) | Celine Gaudray | P.Carey/H.Walker | $61 |
| 11. Sacred Eagle (2) | Jordan Childs | Symon Wilde | $71 |
| 12. Roguery (1) | Billy Egan | L.Kennewell/L.Yeomans | $51 |
| 13. Mercante (11) | Damien Oliver | Nigel Blackiston | $61 |
| 14. To Be Frank (10) | Jamie Spencer | C.Maher/D.Eustace | $61 |
| 15. Warialda Warrior (9) | Daryl McLelan | John Ramsey | $91 |
| 16. Tokyo Run (8) | Declan Bates | Dean Mirfin | $126 |
Victoria Derby past winners
| 2022 | Manzoice |
| 2021 | Hitotsu |
| 2020 | Johnny Get Angry |
| 2019 | Warning |
| 2018 | Extra Brut |
| 2017 | Ace High |
| 2016 | Prized Icon |
| 2015 | Tarzino |
| 2014 | Preferment |
| 2013 | Polanski |
