Sharp ‘N’ Smart is firming in the markets for Saturday’s Group 1 $2 million Penfolds Victoria Derby (2500m) on the quick back-up off a gutsy win in the Spring Champion Stakes in Sydney.
Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart is favourite to win again in the 2022 Victoria Derby on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.
Ace High (2017) was the last three-year-old to complete the Spring Champion Stakes – Victoria Derby double and connections of Redwood gelding Sharp ‘N’ Smart are confident he can be the next.
Last weekend the Kiwi had a horror run in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, but was still too good for his rivals posting a narrow victory over Elliptical and She’s Extreme.
Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson confirmed plans immediately after to head south for the VRC Derby where Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to see out the 2500m without a worry.
Current Victoria Derby odds online at Ladbrokes have him at $3.40 and firming, just longer in the markets than the $3.30 top elect Berkeley Square also on the quick back-up.
James McDonald was in Melbourne last weekend riding Anamoe to victory in the Cox Plate and comes aboard Sharp ‘N’ Smart for his Derby bid from a gun barrier three draw.
Craig Williams will be aboard the danger with Berkeley Square also drawn well in gate five, blessed with the same hoop and alley he won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on a Heavy (8) last Saturday.
It is an open top half of the market this spring with the flying Andrew Forsman-trained Mr Maestro chasing a fourth win on the trot at $6, while the lightly-raced Pericles for James Cummings is at $7.50.
Savabeel colt Mr Maestro coming off a Group 3 Neds Classic victory has a wide barrier in the Derby, but plenty of time and space to overcome over the distance at Flemington.
Pericles meanwhile is on the up-and-up having only debuted at Newcastle on September 24 for a narrow win before two placings firstly in Randwick’s $500,000 Tapp-Craig (1400m) on a Heavy (10) when second and then third to Berkeley Square int eh Vase last weekend.
Other notable VRC Derby hopes at longer odds this spring include Deep Impact colt Muramasa ($16) coming off a second to Mr Maestro, the Team Hawkes-trained Foujita San ($18) up notably in distance looking to atone for his Caulfield Guineas 12th when only three lengths beaten and Manzoice ($26) who ran eighth in the Spring Champion last Saturday for Chris Waller.
The 2022 Victoria Derby is set to run as Race 7 at 4:20pm (AEDT) on Flemington’s nine-race card for the opening Melbourne Cup Carnival meeting.
After the racing on Derby Day, Racing Victoria will conduct the official 2022 Melbourne Cup Barrier Draw live from headquarters.
