Victoria Derby 2026 Tips & Betting Advice
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The Victoria Derby is the headline event on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival and one of three Group 1s on a stellar afternoon at Flemington.
The Victoria Derby (2500m) is regarded as the best horse race for three-year-olds at the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Total prize money for the race is $2,000,000.
The 2025 Victoria Derby takes place at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday November 1.
Bets.com.au provides punters with Victoria Derby betting tips and previews, along with a complete guide to the Group 1.
Victoria Derby Information
- DateSat 31 Oct, 2026
- Race Time06:00
- RacecourseFlemington
- Race Distance2500 metres
- Conditions3yo - Set Weights
- StatusGroup 1
- Prize Money$2,000,000
Victoria Derby Betting Odds
Check back here closer to the race start date for the latest 2026 Victoria Derby betting odds.
Victoria Derby Betting Tips
Our experts provide Victoria Derby betting tips in the lead up to the Flemington three-year-old feature race.
Punters will be able to get their VRC Derby betting tips, form guide and barrier draw analysis in the lead up to the feature race on Derby Day at Flemington.
Victoria Derby Bookmakers & Promotions
The VRC Derby is one of Australia's top races and one of the main events punters focus on when the spring carnival rolls around.
Australian betting sites have special offers for customers - both new and existing - on the Victoria Derby including special odds promos that can be used on Flemington races.
If you are looking to sign up with a bookmaker ahead of the Flemington Carnival, check out our top five below.
Victoria Derby 2025 - Field & Barrier Draw
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observer | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 4 | 57kg |
| 2 | Highvol | Nick Ryan | Jamie Mott | 15 | 57kg |
| 3 | Autumn Mystery | Rory Hunter | Blake Shinn | 17 | 57kg |
| 4 | Miewa | Nick Ryan | Jordan Childs | 8 | 57kg |
| 5 | Options | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Harry Coffey | 7 | 57kg |
| 6 | Providence | Chris Waller | TBA | 12 | 57kg |
| 7 | Azazel (NZ) | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 10 | 57kg |
| 8 | Arcora | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | John Allen | 11 | 57kg |
| 9 | O'Sheamus | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 57kg |
| 10 | Amazake | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 6 | 57kg |
| 11 | Engine Of War (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tommy Berry | 9 | 57kg |
| 12 | Matsuda | Ciaron Maher | Thomas Stockdale | 19 | 57kg |
| 13 | One Step Closer | John O'Shea & Tom Charlton | Jye McNeil | 2 | 57kg |
| 14 | Savisanta (NZ) | Chris Waller | TBA | 3 | 57kg |
| 15 | McWoody | Mark Walker | Jamie Melham | 16 | 57kg |
| 16 | Deal Done Fast | Matt Cumani | Daniel Stackhouse | 1 | 57kg |
| 17e | Arabian Prince | Michael Kent | Craig Williams | 20 | 57kg |
| 18e | Freddie Bassett | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ben Allen | 14 | 57kg |
| 19e | Crack A Deel | Henry Dwyer | TBA | 13 | 57kg |
| 20e | Super Paradise | Andrew Forsman | TBA | 18 | 57kg |
Victoria Derby Form Guide
The Victoria Derby form guide is easy in some respects as it is age exclusive but sometimes that can make the job all the more difficult.
Picking the winner of this race is an arduous task in recent times with long priced winners everywhere you look, but one thing that has proven difficult over the journey is going on to greater success.
We have your Victoria Derby form guide right here so you can make an informed decision before you wager.
Victoria Derby 2025 Betting Insights, Stats & Trends
- 2024 Winner: Goldrush Guru ($8 into $7.50), trained by Andrew Gluyas and ridden by Jamie Kah, stormed home from barrier 13 to win by around 1.5 lengths over Scary and China Sea
- Favourites have had limited success - only four favourites have saluted since 2006: Tarzino (2015), Ace High (2017), Hitotsu (2021), and Riff Rocket (2023)
- Recent editions like 2023–24 saw mid-priced winners, making value plays crucial (Griff at $31 in 2023; Goldrush Guru at $8 in 2024)
- Inside barriers (1–2) historically strong—8 winners from these gates—but horses from gates 3–6 also win regularly; barrier position matters, though wider draws like barrier 13 aren’t prohibitive in deep fields
- Strong form in key 3YO middle‑distance preps such as the Caulfield Guineas Prelude, McNeil Stakes, or Stutt Stakes is a top indicator of performance
- Open exclusively to three‑year‑olds, typically colts or geldings—but fillies occasionally thrive (rarely win)—highlighting class and breeding outlook
VRC Derby Live Stream
Victoria Derby History
A large part of the fabric of Melbourne racing, the Victoria Derby was first run and in 1855 by Rose Of May and the race has gone from strength-to-strength ever since.
The immortal Phar Lap was a winner in 1929, Dulcify took out the event 1978 and in more recent times Extra Brut took out the Derby before being sold to Hong Kong.
Worth $2 million, the Victoria Derby is the feature race on the first day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, which runs for four total race days over the course of a week.
These days the event doesn't draw the absolute cream of the crop like it previously did but the huge prize money on offer will ensure the fields are competitive for years to come.
Victoria Derby Past Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2025 | |
| 2024 | Goldrush Guru |
| 2023 | Riff Rocket |
| 2022 | Mazoice |
| 2021 | Hitotsu |
| 2020 | |
| 2019 | Warning |
| 2018 | Extra Brut |
| 2017 | Ace High |
| 2016 | Prized Icon |
| 2015 | Tarzino |
| 2014 | Perferment |
| 2013 | Polanski |
| 2012 | |
| 2011 | Sangster |
| 2010 | Lion Tamer |
| 2009 | |
| 2008 | Rebel Raider |
| 2007 | Kibbutz |
| 2006 | Efficient |
| 2005 | Benicio |
| 2004 | Plastered |
| 2003 | Elvstroem |
| 2002 | Helenus |
| 2001 | Amalfi |
| 2000 | Hit The Roof |
Victoria Derby News
Those looking for the latest Victoria Derby social news should visit @FlemingtonVRC on Twitter and Flemington Racecourse on Facebook.
Victoria Derby 2025 - Replay & Result
1st - Observer.
2nd - Arcora.
3rd - Deal Done Fast.
Victoria Derby FAQ
When is the Victoria Derby?
The Victoria Derby runs on a Saturday at the beginning of November each year.
How long is the Victoria Derby?
The staying contest is run over 2500m.
Where is the Victoria Derby held?
The Victoria Derby is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia.
What’s the prize money for the Victoria Derby?
$2 million is the total prize pool for the Victoria Derby.
