Victoria Derby Day 2023 results, winners: Riff Rocket wins the Derby in a photo from Apulia

Tom Naghten

Victoria Derby Day 2023 results, winners: Riff Rocket wins the Derby in a photo from Apulia image

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.

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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 Dabblecorrect 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

Tom Naghten

Tom Naghten Photo

Tom Naghten is a senior editor at The Sporting News Australia where he's been part of the team since 2017. He predominantly covers boxing and MMA. In his spare time, he likes to watch Robbie Ahmat's goal against the Kangaroos at the SCG in 2000.