Forgot You tops Victoria Derby betting after barrier draw

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Forgot You at Moonee Valley
Forgot You (NZ) ridden by Daniel Moor returns to the mounting yard after winning the PFD Food Services Handicap at Moonee Valley Racecourse on September 4, 2021. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)

The final field has been released for the Group 1 VRC Derby, which will be run and won at Flemington this Saturday.

A full field of 20 has been assembled for the three-year-old staying classic, with Forgot You now the outright favourite for the race after Gunstock drew barrier 19.

Gunstock comes off a good win in the Caulfield Classic (2000m) two weeks ago, which saw the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr-trained colt installed as the $3.50 favourite for this Saturday’s 2500m feature.

Having drawn the second-widest gate, Gunstock has drifted to $4.40 with Sportsbet, while Forgot You now sits at the top of betting alone at $3.80.

Forgot You was a narrow winner of the Moonee Valley Vase on Saturday and will jump from barrier eight under Daniel Moor, who is looking to add another Group 1 win to his tally.

Forgot You started an odds-on favourite in the Vase and only just got home in the 2040m event, defeating his stablemate Commander Harry, who lines up in the Derby from barrier 15 for Linda Meech again.

Also coming out of the Vase is fourth placegetter Akihiro, who will jump from barrier two for Rachel King and Gary Portelli, along with El Rocko (6th), Cheerful Moment (10th) and fourth emergency Spirit Of Gaylard (5th).

Portelli will also saddle up the $201 outsider of the field, Clyde, with the son of Japanese stallion Maurice jumping from barrier six for Dean Yendall.

After earning ballot exemption when winning the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on October 20, Tavistock gelding Tutukaka is a $12 chance in the race.

Similarly to last weekend’s Cox Plate winner, who was trained, owned and ridden by Irishmen, Tutukaka will represent New Zealand for trainer Tony Pike and jockey James McDonald from barrier 12.

The talented three-year-old is also a half-brother to champion New Zealand mare Melody Belle.

Coming down from Sydney is the 2021 Spring Champion Stakes third placegetter, Alegron, with the son of Teofilo set to be partnered by in-form hoop Brett Prebble.

Alegron will jump alongside his stablemate Character, with the James Cummings-trained duo coming out of barriers nine and 10 respectively.

Alongside Cummings’ and Portelli’s runners on the float from Sydney to Melbourne is David Payne’s Raging Bull, with the Bull Point gelding dished up barrier 17, although he has not got a confirmed jockey yet.

With Raging Bull’s spot in the field still in some doubt, there is a chance the Waterhouse & Bott-trained Zoumon will come in to jump from barrier 13 under Glen Boss.

2021 Victoria Derby field & barrier draw

  1. FORGOT YOU (8)
  2. TUTUKAKA (12)
  3. ALEGRON (9)
  4. GUNSTOCK (19)
  5. AKIHIRO (2)
  6. CHARACTER (10)
  7. JUNGLE MAGNATE (5)
  8. COMMANDER HARRY (15)
  9. HITOTSU (7)
  10. CERBERUS (20)
  11. GUNDEC (3)
  12. CLYDE (6)
  13. EL ROCKO (16)
  14. RAGING BULL (17)
  15. CHEERFUL MOMENT (14)
  16. TEEWATERS (4)
  17. EM ZOUMON (13)
  18. EM SEBASTIAN THE FOX (1)
  19. EM KING OF PHARAOHS (18)
  20. EM SPIRIT OF GAYLARD (11)

For a full runner-by-runner preview of this year’s Group 1 Victoria Derby, check back here later in the week.

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