Sydney’s racing form proved decisive in the 2026 Victoria Derby, with Stormy Marco demonstrating exceptional resilience by winning the prestigious Group 1 event on Saturday, just seven days after his previous start. The $3 million, 2500-metre contest at Flemington saw the Chris Waller-trained colt achieve his first elite-level victory under the expert guidance of champion jockey James McDonald.
This significant achievement occurred a week after Stormy Marco finished fourth in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick. Post-race, McDonald humorously compared the win to another major success he had at the nation’s premier racecourse.
“I’m so happy Chris backed him up, he just knows his horses so well and he was here to produce a wicked turn of foot,” McDonald stated. “It was just like I was on Verry Elleegant again, it was so smooth. I don’t think he’s like your typical VRC Derby horse, but he’s got class. He’s a sharp horse. I thought he could have been a Guineas horse, so it shows the ilk we hold him in. He’s done a good job.”
McDonald, it will be recalled, partnered Verry Elleegant to a brilliant victory in the 2021 Melbourne Cup. While Stormy Marco is not yet in that esteemed company, he certainly justified the faith of the punters, who sent him out as the $4.40 favourite, marking the second win of his eight-race career.
Navigating barrier 14 in the 16-horse field, McDonald rode the colt conservatively early on, allowing him to improve his position steadily before unleashing him in the straight. Stormy Marco surged to the lead with 300 metres remaining and powered away to a clear two-length victory.
The runner-up was the $101 outsider Cold Shower, with the first filly to contest the Derby in 36 years, Quick Finish, a $21 chance, finishing a further 1-1/4 lengths back in third.
“It’s a funny thing barrier draws, we drew the car park, but when you’re drawing inside you feel like you have to hold the spot,” McDonald commented. “If this horse probably drew inside, we would have been niggling to the first corner, a little bit disorganized. I just want to keep it smooth, I wanted him to relax. I had Zahra (Mark, on Vallice) to my inside and he was saying, ‘sleep baby, sleep’. That’s all we did, the two of us, and he had superior form.”
This win represents McDonald’s second Victoria Derby triumph, the first occurring three years ago on Riff Rocket, who was also trained by Waller. This victory adds to Waller’s impressive Victoria Derby record, which includes wins with Preferment (2014) and Manzoice (2022).
The Derby success kicked off a dream 40 minutes for Waller and McDonald, with horses carrying the Hermitage Thoroughbreds green and red colours. Lady Shenandoah followed Stormy Marco’s win with a dominant performance in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes.
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