Chris Waller‘s exceptional filly, Aeliana, etched her name in the annals of Australian racing history on The Championships Day 1, delivering a dominant performance to triumph over the colts and geldings in the 2025 Australian Derby.

Aeliana Winning the 2025 Australian Derby at Randwick. Photo: Bradley Photos.

The punters’ faith in the talented three-year-old was rewarded as she stormed to victory as the clear-cut favourite.

“It was a great performance and all credit to her,” a delighted Waller told Sky Thoroughbred Central, acknowledging the filly’s outstanding effort.

“She’s had a couple of near misses in Group 1s but she’s got her own, and she’s got it in good style.”

The progressive daughter of Castelvecchio continued her affinity for Royal Randwick, building upon her narrow defeat to Broadsiding in the Rosehill Guineas.

Stepping up to the mile and a half, Aeliana ($2.25F), under the guidance of Damian Lane, unleashed a powerful run, leaving her rivals trailing in her wake to secure a commanding victory in the Group 1 $2 million Australian Derby (2400m).

Lane took over the reins from Jason Collett for the filly’s breakthrough elite-level success.

“She was extraordinary. She left the barriers well, just travelled great from the outset and felt a winner a long way out,” Lane said, praising the filly’s effortless dominance.

Lane had Aeliana positioned perfectly in second place behind the early leader, Plymouth, as the field approached the home turn.

With a bold move on the outside at the top of the straight, she swiftly seized the lead at the 300m mark, extending her advantage with every stride to record an emphatic 5.16-length victory over the runner-up, Firm Agreement ($21), who was backing up quickly after a second in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes on Tuesday.

“We did it from the first one, the Randwick Guineas and she proved there that she was pretty special,” Waller reflected on the filly’s consistent campaign against the boys.

“It’s just mapped out perfectly, really. Every two or three weeks there’s been a race for her. And yeah, we’ve got some good fillies in the fillies’ races, so it just seemed logical.

“But when she was brave in the Randwick Guineas, the Rosehill Guineas she got beaten a whisker by Broadsiding who is a very, very good three-year-old colt, and she’s done it herself today.”

Ciaron Maher‘s Too Darn Hot gelding, Shanwah ($10), finished third, adding further merit to the form, following his two-length victory in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes at The Valley.

Aeliana’s fitness, having previously run top four in the Rosehill Guineas, Group 2 Hobartville Stakes, and Group 1 Randwick Guineas, instilled Waller with confidence for her chances in the Derby.

“That was a dominant win. I don’t get as emotional these days as I used to, but that was really special,” Waller admitted, clearly moved by the filly’s performance.

“I was waiting for something to come with us at the 300m and you could see there was some horses doing their best, but when she peeled out with 100m to go it was really special.”

Waller indicated that a decision regarding a potential quick back-up into next weekend’s Group 1 Australian Oaks would be made after assessing her recovery.

“I’ll see how she pulls up and try to make the right decision,” he stated.

“My job is to look after her. It would be unlikely that she would back up. But, wow, I can’t wait for what’s the next chapter because she’s a rising star.”

Following her dominant Derby victory, Aeliana has moved to the second line of betting at $5 in the latest all-in 2025 Australian Oaks odds at Ladbrokes, behind Matt Laurie’s Vinery Stud Stakes winner Treasurethe Moment ($1.60).

2025 Australian Derby Results 

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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