This week Racing NSW closed nominations for a host of Group 1 races across The Championships during April including the Australian Derby 2016 where Tarzino is early favourite for the Royal Randwick clash.
Victoria Derby winner Tarzino is the headline 2016 Australian Derby nomination this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A total of 129 three-year-olds make up the early entries for this yearâs $2 million Group 1 BMW Australian Derby (2400m) that runs on Day 1, Saturday April 2.
Up from 109 last Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, the Australian Derby nominations for 2016 are led by Mick Priceâs Victoria Derby winner Tarzino.
The Tavistock colt took his earnings up over the million dollar mark posting his third win at start number six at Flemington in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) last November and resumes racing in this Saturdayâs Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse.
He is short priced favourite in futures Australian Derby odds to hand Price with his maiden win, the horse looking to become the first Victoria Derby â ATC Derby double winner since Mahogany (1994).
Price has also nominated for Celtic Tiger and Fastnet Rock filly Sailing By who is one of 15 fillies entered for this yearâs ATC Derby.
The only filly to beat home the boys in the race in the past 30 years was Shamrocker (2011) and the most notable female galloper in the mix this year is Crown Oaks winner Jameka.
The Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Myboycharlie was runner-up to Stay With Me in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) last October before improving two runs later to take out Flemingtonâs Group 1 Crown Oaks (2500m).
The other most notable ATC Derby nominated filly this year is the John Thompson-trained Honesta who ran second four times on the trot last campaign in the spring.
Two of those runs were in elite level company when beaten a nose in Sydneyâs Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) and her second to Jameka in the Crown Oaks run on a Heavy (9) track on November 5.
Jameka is down to run first-up on CF Orr Stakes Day this Saturday in the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1200m), while Honesta resumes this weekend at Randwick in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).
Along with Tarzino the other shortest priced hopeful in the early Australian Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au this autumn is New Zealand raider Xtravagant.
Prepared by Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards the Pentire colt enjoyed a Group 1 NZ 2000 Guineas (1600m) win last November before a Boxing Day success and then a shock loss when fourth in the Group 1 Levin Classic (1600m) in mid-January.
Despite the last start defeat and the fact he has no form down under, the bookies are taking no chances based on the gun recent Australian Derby record of the Kiwis.
Two of the past three Australian Derby winners hailed from New Zealand with the Murray Baker-trained duo Itâs A Dundeel (2013) and Mongolian Khan (2015).
This year the Cambridge-based Baker is back with three Derby chances: Antonio Giuseppe, Get That Jive and Zacada.
Sydneyâs leading trainer Chris Waller is yet to trainer an Australian Derby winner and is in with seven nominees this year led by his Spring Champion Stakes winner Vanbrugh who is also nominated for the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) on the same day.
First acceptances for the 2016 Australian Derby close at midday (AEDT) on Tuesday March 8 so stay tuned.
In the meantime head to Ladbrokes.com.au and open a new account quoting the code BETBONUS to enjoy up to $500 in bonuses for a short time only!
2016 Australian Derby Nominations
Randwick Racecourse â 02/04/2016
| # | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Sex | Age | Trainer | Hcp. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1x | ADMIRAL JELLO | C | 3 | Kris Lees | 63 |
| 2 | 0x5x | AL CUBANA | G | 3 | Brett Cavanough | – |
| 3 | 1180x6x | ALASKAN ROSE (NZ) | F | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 4 | 74372x5x | ALFDEN | G | 3 | Barbara Joseph & Paul Jones | – |
| 5 | 9148×565 | ALI BABA (NZ) | C | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 6 | 13x7835x | ALKAASHEF | C | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 7 | 6765102x | ALL KNITTED UP (NZ) | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 8 | 46x | ALWAYS ONE | G | 3 | Jim Conlan | – |
| 9 | 4x | ANIMATOR | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | – |
| 10 | 146x | ANTONIO GIUSEPPE (NZ) | G | 3 | Murray Baker | – |
| 11 | 0x | ARABIAN | G | 3 | Chris Waller | – |
| 12 | 5613x | ARBITRAGE (NZ) | C | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 13 | 0x7522x7 | ASCOT RED | G | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 14 | 9x8548x | ASSERTIVE STAR | C | 3 | Byron Cozamanis | – |
| 15 | 8182170x7x | AYERS ROCK | G | 3 | Shawn Mathrick | – |
| 16 | 12x4x | BALBOA PARK (NZ) | G | 3 | Gai Waterhouse | 65 |
| 17 | 04711×4 | BALMAIN BOY | G | 3 | Les Bridge | 72 |
| 18 | 57180146x | BULLISH STOCK (NZ) | G | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 19 | 0x8x9x641 | CAPTAIN EXCEL | C | 3 | Barry Lockwood | – |
| 20 | 7x | CELESTIAL CHOICE | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 21 | 2x510x | CELTIC TIGER (NZ) | G | 3 | Mick Price | – |
| 22 | 1 | CHARLEVOIX | C | 3 | Michael Kent | – |
| 23 | 28x | CILLA (NZ) | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 24 | 6x510x | COLOSSEUM KING | G | 3 | John Sargent | 63 |
| 25 | 5x1x | COOL CHAP | G | 3 | Peter G Moody | – |
| 26 | 2251×9 | CROSLEY HOTSHOT | G | 3 | Bjorn Baker | 66 |
| 27 | 14x80x | CURRAGH (NZ) | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | – |
| 28 | 1×2 | DATA POINT | C | 3 | Michael Kent | – |
| 29 | 3029x | DEADLY SHADOW (NZ) | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 30 | 60x | DEVERSTATION (NZ) | G | 3 | Shaune Ritchie | – |
| 31 | 783x15167x | DEVIL HAWK | G | 3 | Chris Waller | 77 |
| 32 | 516x5x | DOC HOLLIDAY | G | 3 | David Payne | 64 |
| 33 | – | DRAGON DANCER (NZ) | C | 3 | Bruce Wallace | – |
| 34 | 8×5636 | ECLAIR JOURNEY (NZ) | G | 3 | Matthew Smith | – |
| 35 | 313632x | ETYMOLOGY | C | 3 | John O’Shea | – |
| 36 | 05x110010x | EXTRA CHOICE (NZ) | G | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 37 | 88x2x | FIFTY FLAGS (NZ) | C | 3 | James Cummings | – |
| 38 | 143653221x | FLYING LIGHT | G | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 39 | 12×23 | GET THAT JIVE | G | 3 | Murray Baker | – |
| 40 | 31x69358x8 | GOLD AMBITION (NZ) | G | 3 | Bjorn Baker | 71 |
| 41 | 49×45 | GUNGA GALUNGA | G | 3 | Pat Cannon | – |
| 42 | 5x2125431x | HARDERN | G | 3 | David Brideoake | – |
| 43 | 2500 | HEAD OFFICE (NZ) | G | 3 | Bruce Wallace | – |
| 44 | 8140x6x | HIERARCHAL | C | 3 | Anthony Cummings | 67 |
| 45 | 0x | HIT THE FLOOR | C | 3 | James Cummings | – |
| 46 | x42112222x | HONESTA | F | 3 | John P Thompson | 95 |
| 47 | 3332212 | HOWARD BE THY NAME | C | 3 | Darren Weir | – |
| 48 | 7x6131x | HURSLEY (NZ) | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 73 |
| 49 | 2x4132x0x | IâM BELUCCI | C | 3 | Desleigh Forster | – |
| 50 | 31412560x | INTREPID WAY (NZ) | G | 3 | Amanda Turner & Mauro Poletti | 71 |
| 51 | – | IRISH LORD | G | 3 | Bill Prain | – |
| 52 | 1721620x | JADEER | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 53 | 341x33211x | JAMEKA | F | 3 | Ciaron Maher | – |
| 54 | 554480x | JOUEUR | G | 3 | James Cummings | – |
| 55 | 37x | KARAKA LASS | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 56 | 58x | KING OF SIAM (NZ) | C | 3 | John Sadler | – |
| 57 | 6x464310x8 | KONTIKI | G | 3 | Lee Curtis | 61 |
| 58 | 02321x | LAST TYPHOON | C | 3 | Peter G Moody | – |
| 59 | 4 | LE BOSS | C | 3 | Robbie Griffiths | – |
| 60 | 2x | LEVEL EIGHT | G | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | – |
| 61 | 8x | LOUD ENOUGH | G | 3 | Paul Cave | – |
| 62 | 23415×3 | LOYALTY MAN | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 63 | 141x | MACKINTOSH (NZ) | G | 3 | James Bridge | – |
| 64 | 5x1371330x | MAN OF CHOICE | G | 3 | Luke Price | – |
| 65 | 6x17x | MANHATTAN BOSS | G | 3 | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | – |
| 66 | 43x51x652x | MANHATTAN SON | G | 3 | Clarry Conners | 63 |
| 67 | 211 | MONTAIGNE (NZ) | G | 3 | Anthony Cummings | 73 |
| 68 | 51759x4x | MULTIFACETS (NZ) | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 62 |
| 69 | 21x5x | NOBLE DESCENT | G | 3 | Gary Colvin | 53 |
| 70 | 1x5513x | NOT A GYPSY | G | 3 | Peter & Paul Snowden | 66 |
| 71 | 6x61x | OLD NORTH | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 66 |
| 72 | 4x | ONCE WERE WARRIORS | G | 3 | David Vandyke | – |
| 73 | 77x | OâREILLYâS ANGEL (NZ) | F | 3 | Bryce Heys | – |
| 74 | 490x | PALAIOS (NZ) | C | 3 | Brian Jenkins | – |
| 75 | 211×7 | PALENTINO | C | 3 | Darren Weir | – |
| 76 | 547x | PARNOSSOS | G | 3 | John O’Shea | – |
| 77 | 41x | PHIDIAS | G | 3 | Tony McEvoy | – |
| 78 | 615x | PLYMOUTH ROAD (NZ) | G | 3 | Lee & Anthony Freedman | – |
| 79 | 6x6x115x | POLAR VORTEX | G | 3 | Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison | – |
| 80 | 4x | POWERCRAFT (NZ) | G | 3 | Kris Lees | – |
| 81 | 2x | PREDATOR (NZ) | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | – |
| 82 | 10 | PRINCE OF BABYLON (NZ) | G | 3 | John Sadler | – |
| 83 | 30200x | PRINCE OF PAGODA (NZ) | G | 3 | Tony McEvoy | – |
| 84 | 9x5780780x | PRINCE ROO | G | 3 | Stephen Schofield | 50 |
| 85 | 141 | PROVOCATIVE (NZ) | F | 3 | Tony Pike | – |
| 86 | 2103212 | RAGHU (NZ) | C | 3 | Tony Pike | – |
| 87 | 05x0x | RAINBOW PARK (NZ) | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 88 | 5×14114131 | RANGIPO | G | 3 | Tony Pike | – |
| 89 | 1x | RAYNES PARK | G | 3 | Brett Cavanough | 53 |
| 90 | 13x411x | RIVER WILD | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse | 76 |
| 91 | 3x31324x | SAILING BY | F | 3 | Mick Price | – |
| 92 | 4x035x0x | SALT FLAT | G | 3 | Craig Ritchie | – |
| 93 | 50x703452x | SCHOPENHAUER (NZ) | G | 3 | Craig Ritchie | – |
| 94 | 1614x | SECRET PROPHET (NZ) | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | – |
| 95 | 1x172029x4 | SHARDS | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 82 |
| 96 | 64x1x | SHOTGUN ROULETTE | F | 3 | Wayne Wilkes | 52 |
| 97 | 6x8214x | SKULDUGGERY | G | 3 | Danny O’Brien | – |
| 98 | – | SKY GLITTER | G | 3 | James Cummings | – |
| 99 | 137x | SOHOOL | C | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 100 | 2x2x2x | SON OF MAHER | C | 3 | Michael Pitman | – |
| 101 | 17148×6 | SOVEREIGN NATION | C | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 102 | 841x | SPANISH STRIDE | G | 3 | Amanda Turner & Mauro Poletti | 63 |
| 103 | 7146x9413x | SPIRITOS | G | 3 | Chris Waller | 67 |
| 104 | 7×2 | SPLENDIDO (NZ) | C | 3 | Bruce Wallace | – |
| 105 | 211x | STAMPEDE | C | 3 | Gai Waterhouse | 71 |
| 106 | – | SURFERS DOLPHINS (NZ) | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 107 | 52215x1x | TALLY | C | 3 | John O’Shea | – |
| 108 | 1153x2x0 | TARQUIN | C | 3 | John O’Shea | 87 |
| 109 | 311731x | TARZINO (NZ) | C | 3 | Mick Price | – |
| 110 | 132542229x | TATOOSH | G | 3 | Paul Perry | – |
| 111 | 21130 | TAVAGO (NZ) | G | 3 | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | – |
| 112 | – | TENDAJI | G | 3 | Pat Carey | – |
| 113 | 36x9690x | THE WEALD | G | 3 | John O’Shea | – |
| 114 | – | TIPSYâS CHOICE | F | 3 | John Sargent | – |
| 115 | 12205×1 | TIVACI | C | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 116 | 1x4x | TOP SCORE | C | 3 | John Sargent | 66 |
| 117 | 5x416211x8 | TORGERSEN (NZ) | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 78 |
| 118 | 0217x | TOSSILINI | G | 3 | David Hayes & Tom Dabernig | – |
| 119 | 0x | TRIANTAN | C | 3 | John P Thompson | – |
| 120 | 3x1628x8 | TULSA | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 121 | 14351x | VALLEY GIRL (NZ) | F | 3 | Donna Logan & Chris Gibbs | – |
| 122 | 5x2462111x | VANBRUGH | C | 3 | Chris Waller | 101 |
| 123 | 1114 | VOSTOK | G | 3 | Peter G Moody | – |
| 124 | 57x10343x8 | WAR LEGEND (NZ) | G | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 125 | 57101x | WAYED ZAIN | C | 3 | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 70 |
| 126 | 1567x | WHATâS THE STORY (NZ) | C | 3 | Stephen Mckee | – |
| 127 | 320×1 | WICHITA WOMAN | F | 3 | Michael Moroney | – |
| 128 | 1x60x3x | ZACADA (NZ) | G | 3 | Murray Baker | – |
| 129 | 320x | ZOLOTOI | G | 3 | Mark Minervini | – |