2021 Queensland Derby betting tips & preview | Eagle Farm, R7

HorseBetting.com.au takes a look at the top prospects in the $600,000 Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday. A capacity field of 18 with three emergencies has been assembled, with Chris Waller (6) and the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable (3) making up half the numbers. Explosive Jack starts as the $2.90 favourite in a bid to win his third straight derby, with Senor Toba ($5) and Let’s Karaka Deel ($8) the other runners in single figures. There is plenty of speed in this field, which should ensure a solid tempo set by Sagacious, Bold Executive, Maranoa and Let’s Karaka Deel. Criminal Defence and Kukeracha will also be handy from their nice gates, while Explosive Jack should get a lovely run in the first half of the field.

Waller has six runners in the field, so statistically he has a one in three chance of winning. We hope we have found the one. Over the last few weeks, we’ve made it no secret that we have a decent opinion of Kukeracha. We’re not ones for jockey bashing, but he should have won last start in the Rough Habit Plate, so with James McDonald taking over from Luke Dittman, it only makes us more bullish. The son of Night Of Thunder has had a perfect campaign, progressing through the Queensland Guineas into the Rough Habit, where he charged through the line after a luckless run. That finish suggests the extra 400m here should suit, while barrier two should give this gelding get a dream run into it.

Explosive Jack has caught us with our pants down in his last two starts when winning both the Australian Derby and South Australian Derby, so we are not prepared to leave him out again. The Maher & Eustace-trained colt has won three derbies in this calendar year and now looks to make history and win four of them. John Allen has made sure he got out of Victoria to retain the ride, and by all reports the horse is flying. After beating Young Werther and Lion’s Roar in a close go two starts back at Randwick in the ATC Derby, Explosive Jack then went to Adelaide and simply bolted in to win by 2.5 lengths. From barrier six, the son of Jakkalberry should get a lovely run in transit and be right there at the finish.

Horrifying was a big winner at Flemington on May 22nd over 2000m, coming from a long way back to arrive in the nick of time under Jamie Kah. The son of Shocking is bred to stay, and with a solid tempo likely to be set, he should run home strongly after dropping to the back from barrier 12. Horrifying’s two wins have come at Flemington and the Sandown Hillside circuit, so the big Eagle Farm track is going to suit. Don’t dismiss him.

Best bet for 2021 Queensland Derby