Champion trainer Chris Waller is banking on a proven method as he seeks a fourth triumph in the Victoria Derby at Flemington.

Waller has Stormy Marco and True Tone nominated for Saturday’s 2500-metre Group 1 Classic, with both horses having taken different pathways to the race.

However, the races these contenders have contested leading up to the Derby are the same ones that have yielded success for Waller in this staying event previously.

Waller’s maiden Victoria Derby victory was achieved with Preferment in 2014.

Preferment was narrowly beaten in the Geelong Classic (2200m) before going on to record a comfortable Derby win.

After breaking his maiden status at Warwick Farm, True Tone finished third in the Geelong Classic, experiencing some restriction in the latter stages of the race.

“True Tone ran a place in the Geelong Classic, in the 2200-metre race, and that was a good test for him at his first run beyond a mile,” Waller commented.

“It was a big step up, but it was a pass mark, and he’ll be ready to run 2500 metres on Saturday.

“He is in some ways similar to Preferment, although Preferment came through the Geelong Classic then won his maiden in the Victoria Derby before going on to win a number of Group 1 races afterwards.

“There’s a small similarity there.”

Stormy Marco, who is more fancied in the betting than his stablemate, is coming out of the same race that Manzoice competed in before winning the 2022 Derby.

Manzoice had finished eighth in the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick the week prior to his Derby victory.

Stormy Marco finished fourth in that race last week, rallying from the back of the field, and Waller confirmed the decision to commit him to the Melbourne race was made on Sunday.

“His run was good in Sydney in the Spring Champion,” Waller stated.

“They have to be very fit to run the 2500 metres in the Victoria Derby, and he has that on his side, and his breeding suggests he can get the trip.

“He’s by Wootton Basset, an international sire, that continues to make headlines in the Northern Hemisphere and down here, so from that aspect, yes he can run the trip, on the dam side, there is enough there to suggest the distance shouldn’t be a problem.”

For those interested in the betting markets for the race, the Victoria Derby offers compelling options across various Australian betting sites.