The Group 1 Australian Derby over 2400m is the feature for the three year olds on Day One of 2020 The Championships at Randwick on Saturday.
Castelvecchio proved too good for Shadow Hero, Warning and Sherwood Forest in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday week and they will get their chance to turn the tables stepping up to 2400m this week.
Castelvecchio is stepping up to the 2400m for the first time, unlike Warning who won the Group 1 Victoria Derby over 2500m at Flemington during the 2019 Melbourne Carnival with Shadow Hero in fifth spot while Sherwood Forest is the winner of the Group 1 New Zealand Derby over 2400m at Ellerslie.
We have analysed the entire twelve horse field and our complete 2020 Australian Derby tips can be found below!
Castelvecchio
Castelvecchio claimed his second Group 1 winning trophy with his victory in the Rosehill Guineas over 2000m at Rosehill last Saturday week and has been installed as the Australian Derby favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au. James McDonald replaces Craig Williams in the saddle and will give Castelvecchio every opportunity to run out the 2400m and will be hard to beat again.
Shadow Hero
Shadow Hero finished strongly at the end of the 1600m to win the Group 1 Randwick Guineas at Randwick two starts back and then ran on again from the back to finish fourth to Castelvecchio in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas. Ready to be tested at the 2400m again after finishing fifth in the Group 1 Victoria Derby over 2500m at Flemington during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Warning
Warning was the winner of the Group 1 Victoria Derby over 2500m at Flemington during the 2019 Melbourne Spring Carnival and is primed to peak in the Australian Derby at his fourth run this preparation. The Anthony Freedman trained three year old showed that he is looking for the 2400m after a solid fifth in the Rosehill Guineas.
Sherwood Forest
Kiwi three year old Sherwood Forest showed his staying ability with a solid win in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby over 2400m at Ellerslie on February 29 but was then well beaten when seventh in the Rosehill Guineas. Will be better suited stepping back up to the 2400m of the Australian Derby.
Eric The Eel
Queensland trained Eric The Eel has shown plenty of potential in his home state but looks to have the job ahead of him here. The Stuart Kendrick trained three year old has been given his chance in the Australian Derby after beating the older horses in a 2200m Handicap at Doomben last Saturday.
Quick Thinker
Quick Thinker is another Kiwi lining up in the Australian Derby and gets his chance after storming home to win the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes over 2000m at Rosehill last Saturday. The training partnership of Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman has had plenty of success this side of the Tasman in the past and a win by Quick Thinker in the Australian Derby would not be a huge surprise.
Zebrowski
Zebrowski had winning restricted class form before running home for second to Quick Thinker in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday and is up in class and distance again this week.
Chains Of Honour
Chains Of Honour is still eligible for restricted grade and never threatened when eighth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas last Saturday week.
Skiddaw
Victorian trained Skiddaw will find this a lot tougher than his last start win in a 2200m 3yo Handicap at the Metro Bendigo meeting last Saturday.
Diasonic
Diasonic is another three year old from across the border who has a rough place chance coming off a third to Quick Thinker in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday.
Get The Idea
Get The Idea has been listed as the outsider of the field at $101 at Ladbrokes.com.au and is way out of his depth in the Australian Derby after finishing a well beaten tenth in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill last start.
Sacramento
Sacramento is another at long double figure odds at Ladbrokes.com.au and is still eligible for restricted grade.
Australian Derby Tip
1 Castelvecchio at $2.80
