The 2025 ATC Australian Derby at Randwick this Saturday features a compelling contest between New Zealand raider Willydoit and the talented filly Aeliana, who are both vying for favouritism in the Group 1 $2 million staying showdown.

Willydoit

New Zealand Derby winner Willydoit heads the latest 2025 ATC Derby odds in Sydney this weekend. Photo: Race Images NZ.

“NZ Derby winner Willydoit is down under for Saturday’s 2025 Australian Derby,” a racing analyst from Races.com.au reported.

Willydoit ($3.90), trained by Shaun Clotworthy, leads the Australian Derby odds at Ladbrokes.

The Tarzino gelding has impressed with four wins from six starts, including a dominant victory in the Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m).

“Kiwi raider Willydoit is out to be the seventh New Zealand trained Australian Derby winner in 17 years!” a racing expert stated.

The New Zealand form has been strong in recent Australian Derbies, with six of the last 16 winners hailing from across the Tasman.

Willydoit will be ridden by the in-form Michael Dee, who was aboard for his NZ Derby triumph, from barrier 10.

Aeliana ($3.90), trained by Chris Waller, is considered the main threat to Willydoit.

The Castelvecchio filly is aiming to become the first filly to win the ATC Derby since Shamrocker in 2011.

“No filly has won the ATC Derby since Shamrocker in 2011!” Races.com.au reported.

Damian Lane will ride Aeliana, who has been consistent this preparation, with three top-four finishes, including a third in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas.

Shanwah ($7.50), trained by Ciaron Maher, is the only other runner under double figures.

The Too Darn Hot gelding has won four consecutive races, including two Group 2 victories.

“Despite a capacity Australian Derby field just one other runner is currently under double figures for the win with Ciaron Maher‘s soaring Shanwah,” a racing expert stated.

Other notable contenders include King Of Thunder ($10) in gate one, Victoria Derby champion last November Goldrush Guru ($11) chasing the rare interstate Derby double, and Plymouth ($12).

For value, Pocketing ($26) and Firm Agreement ($18), who finished one-two in the rescheduled Tulloch Stakes on Tuesday, could be a threat if they handle the quick back-up.

The 2025 ATC Australian Derby is scheduled for Randwick Race 9 at 5:15pm (AEDT) on Saturday.

2025 ATC Australian Derby Field & Barriers

No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating
1 311101 WILLYDOIT (NZ) Shaun Clotworthy Michael Dee 10 56.5kg 104
2 12211×9437 GOLDRUSH GURU Andrew Gluyas Ms Jamie Melham 13 56.5kg 102
3 231612 THEDOCTOROFLOVE Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Daniel Moor 14 56.5kg 98
4 374×51111 SHANWAH (NZ) Ciaron Maher Blake Shinn 4 56.5kg 96
5 3156×254 PLYMOUTH Glen Thompson Mark Zahra 3 56.5kg 88
6 12×2129311 POCKETING Richard & Will Freedman Joshua Parr 16 56.5kg 86
7 2133×772 FIRM AGREEMENT Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Tyler Schiller 6 56.5kg 85
8 231737×713 KING OF THUNDER (NZ) John O’Shea & Tom Charlton Zac Lloyd 1 56.5kg 84
9 33224837 GOLDEN CENTURY (NZ) Tony Pike Nash Rawiller 15 56.5kg 82
10 10x78x7332 IMPERIALIST (NZ) Chris Waller Ryan Moore 22 56.5kg 82
11 30×531494 MUSTANG MORGAN (NZ) Andrew Forsman Craig Williams 12 56.5kg 80
12 1x0216x005 RED ACES Nick Ryan Hugh Bowman 18 56.5kg 80
13 1125 CONFETTI GARDEN Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Tommy Berry 21 56.5kg 76
14 871011 TSITSIPAS (NZ) Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Ben Melham 11 56.5kg 70
15 0332116 AUTUMN AROHA Richard Litt Chad Schofield 5 56.5kg 68
16 75×533145 BERNEN WIN John Thompson Tom Sherry 20 56.5kg 67
17 x74218x120 KOSUKE Gregory McFarlane Ashley Morgan 9 56.5kg 66
18 416112×342 AELIANA (NZ) Chris Waller Damian Lane 2 54.5kg 102
19e 8x68391x61 FLYING ARGENTO Gary Portelli Reece Jones 23 56.5kg 60
20e 148 DEAL N’ DASH Bjorn Baker 8 56.5kg 65
21e 9×301210 FORMAT Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 7 56.5kg 65
22e 32113 SO YOU ARE Stirling Osland 19 56.5kg 67
23e 73×334 BLACK BABYLON (IRE) Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Ethan Brown 17 56.5kg

Table Credit: Racing Australia.

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About The Author

Lucy Henderson

Lucy is an experienced horse racing journalist that has been a crucial member of the horseracing.com.au team for the better part of a decade. She has taken great delight in covering champion mares Black Caviar and Winx throughout their careers and always has a soft spot for a winning filly.