Victoria Derby Day 2021 is set to kick off the Melbourne Cup Carnival this weekend with fans back in attendance after last year's event was behind closed doors.
Saturday's Derby Day will have four Group 1 races including the legendary $2 million Victoria Derby.
For racing purists, the Derby Day is a highlight of the year with an abundance of Group 2 and Group 3 races on offer.
Last year, 'Johnny Get Angry' won the Derby classic and has now found himself a barrrier at this year's Melbourne Cup.
Who won the Victoria Derby 2021?
Australian horse Hitotsu was triumphant at the Victoria Derby, finishing strongly in the 2500m race by edging out second place Alegron.
Alegron was ahead by a clear margin going into the final turn but was overtaken by Hitotsu with 150m left in the race.
Teewaters placed third, narrowingly beating the Raging Bull who came in fourth.
It is a massive win for Irish jockey John Allen and Hitotsu's trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.
Watch a replay of the epic finish to the race below
It's all Hitotsu in the Penfolds Victoria Derby. 💪
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 30, 2021
The Maurice colt relished the step up from 1600m to 2500m in the G1 classic. #JRA #競馬 #騎手 @netkeiba @cmaherracing @JohnnyA_24 pic.twitter.com/5SIxhJbdUs
Victoria Derby Day 2021 results
Race 1 (1600m): 1. Fangirl (11), 2. Brigantine (7), 3. Daily Bugle (1).
Race 2 (2500m): 1. Great House (4), 2. Mankayan (7), 3. Emissary (6)
Race 3 (2000m): 1. Willowy (8), 2. Daisies (2),3. Douceur (6)
Race 4 (1200m): 1. Justacanta (6), 2. Kemalpasa (2), 3. Isaurian (5)
Race 5 (1600m):1. Colette (1), 2. Mystic Journey (2), 3. Hungry Heart (8)
Race 6 (2500m):1.Hitostu (9), 2. Alegron (3), 3.Teewaters (4)
Race 7 (1200m): 1. Home Affairs (5), 2. Bruckner (12), 3. Artorius (2)
Race 8 (1600m): 1. Superstorm (3), 2. Icebath, 3. Cascadian (2)
Race 9 (1100m): 1. Minhaaj (5), 2. Ballistic Lover (9), 3. Mileva (10)
When is Victoria Derby Day 2021?
The annual Victoria Derby Day will take place on Saturday 30th October.
The Derby is six years older than the Melbourne Cup, with its first run being in 1855. This year will be its 165th annual meeting at Flemington.
What time is the Victoria Derby?
The first meeting of the Melbourne Cup Carnival will kick off with its first race at 12pm (AEDT).
There are nine races on the day. The event's marquee race 'Victoria Derby' will start at approximately 3:45 pm (AEDT).
Will fans be allowed at Victoria Derby Day?
Victoria Racing Minister Martin Pakula announced there will be 5,500 fans allowed to attend Flemington racecourse for the event.
All fans in attendance must have received both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.
This is following the end of Victoria's lockdown, which occurred when the state hit their 70 per cent vaccinated milestone. Government officials are using Derby Day as a trial for large-scale events in the future.
How to watch Victoria Derby Day?
The event will be available to watch live on free-to air via Channel 10 and on their streaming platform 10 Play from 12pm (AEDT).
Victoria Derby is race no.6 of the day and it should start at approximately 3:45pm (AEDT).
Sky Racing will also broadcast the big race, given its extensive history of showing the Spring Carnival's major races.
Where is the Victoria Derby Day held?
Victoria Derby Day is held at Flemington Racecourse, which is about 6km north-west of Melbourne's CBD.
Flemington opened in 1840 and now features a six furlong or 1200m straight, known as 'the Straight Six'. The venue's home straight is 450m long and races are run anti-clockwise.
Who will get priority for tickets to Derby Day?
Victorian Racing Club released a statement on ticket priority.
"Over 3,900 tickets were available for VRC members after the Victorian Government approved a Derby Day crowd of 5,500 racing fans for the COVID-safe trial event," the statement read.
Owners of competing horses, VRC season corporate partners, sponsors and the general public have been allocated the balance of the remaining tickets, with all racegoers allocated a reserved seat under the approved event plan.
General public racegoers will enjoy reserved seating, with greater than five per cent (500) tickets available at Derby Day.
What is the prize money for the Victoria Derby?
The prize money for the marquee Victoria Derby race is a whopping $2 million.
Derby Day is known as one of the most prestigious days of the racing year with another three Group 1 races. These include the $2m Kennedy Cantala, $1.5m Coolmore Stud Stakes and the $1m TAB Empire Rose Stakes.
What conditions is the Victoria Derby run under?
The Victoria Derby is a 2,500 metre race.
It is a handicapped race for three-year-old horses, with a handicap weight set at 57kg.
How many horses are in the Victoria Derby?
Nominations are finalised in September and the best performers of the year are chosen for the race.
There are 16 horses in the field with four emergency substitutions waiting for any scratches.
Fields are in for Australia's premier race day, @penfolds Victoria Derby Day! View here: https://t.co/bwdb77ljby pic.twitter.com/cKvBDidDIG
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) October 26, 2021
Victoria Derby 2021 field and barriers
| HORSE (BARRIER) | WEIGHT | JOCKEY | TRAINER |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.Forgot You (8) | 57kg | Daniel Moor | Trent Busuttin |
| 2.Tutukaka (12) | 57kg | James McDonald | Tony Pike |
| 3. Alegron (9) | 57kg | Brett Prebble | James Cummings |
| 4. Gunstock (19) | 57kg | Jye McNeil | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
| 5. Akihiro (2) | 57kg | Rachel King | Gary Portelli |
| 6. Charachter (10) | 57kg | Fred Kersley | James Cummings |
| 7. Jungle Magnate(5) | 57kg | Luke Currie | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) |
| 8. Commander Harry (15) | 57kg | Linda Meech | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young |
| 9. Hitotsu (7) | 57kg | John Allen | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 10.Cerberus (20) | 57kg | Damien Thornton | Anthony & Sam Freedman |
| 11. Gundec (3) | 57kg | Craig Williams | Symon Wilde |
| 12. Clyde (6) | 57kg | Dean Yendall | Gary Portelli |
| 13. El Rocko (16) | 57kg | Jamie Mott | John McArdie |
| 14. Raging Bull (17) | 57kg | TBA | David Payne |
| 15. Cheerful Moment (14) | 57kg | Blaike McDougall | Lindsey Smith |
| 16. Teewaters (4) | 57kg | Declan Bates | Archie Alexander |
| 17.(E) Zoumon (13) | 57kg | Glen Boss | Gai Waterhosue & Adrian Bott |
| 18. (E) Sebastain The Fox (1) | 57kg | Jarrod Fry | Shay Keating |
| 19. (E) King Of Pharohs (18) | 57kg | Will Gordon | Lindsey Smith |
| 20. (E) Spirit Of Gaylard (11) | 57kg | Jordan Childs | Mitchell Freedman |
What are the Victoria Derby 2021 betting odds?
The current favourite is New Zealand horse 'Gunstock'. The thoroughbred had an excellent performance winning the Neds Classic at Caulfield.
Previous favourite 'Forgot You' is another NZ horse and a close second favourite at $5.50, while Japanese horse Hitotsu is $6.50 to win.
| Horse | Odds |
|---|---|
| Gunstock | $5 |
| Forgot You | $5.50 |
| Hitotsu | $6.50 |
| Alegron | $6.50 |
| Tutukaka | $8 |
| Teewaters | $20 |
| Other runners | $21+ |
Odds courtesy of Sportsbet