WATC Derby

Ladbrokes Tip: Many fillies contest the WATC Derby off a WA Oaks run and it is a popular betting double each autumn

The latest edition of the WATC Derby ran on Saturday, April 11, 2026 at Perth’s Ascot Racecourse and was dominated by the Grant & Alana Williams‑trained Brutal gelding Sentimental Legend ($3), who powered home for a brilliant two‑length victory. 

2026 WATC Derby Results

The complete WATC Derby Results 2026 and Finishing Order will be available below once the race is run and won on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Grant & Alana Williams’ progressive Brutal gelding Sentimental Legend ($3) relished a rise to 2400m when backing up from his Listed Melvista Stakes win to easily account for his rivals in the 2026 WATC Derby results. In another masterful ride by the ‘Wizard of the West’, jockey William Pike collected his 12th win in the event. Williams tracked the favourite, WA Oaks winning filly Wonderfully Made who eventually faded to run sixth, throughout before taking over and dominating the Ascot feature securing back-to-back stakes wins.

2026 WATC Derby Odds

The latest WATC Derby 2026 betting odds on the autumn’s gun three-year-old stayers facing off in the Perth classic will be detailed below followed by the official WATC Derby finishing order so, stay tuned.

WATC Derby Tips

WATC Derby tips include looking for Perth’s top three-year-olds of the autumn with proven form at the Ascot track up to at least 2200m.

Backing the season’s WA Oaks winner and Melvista Stakes winner from the same meeting a fortnight prior to the Derby are also good tips when it comes to making WATC Derby selections.

2026 WATC Derby Tips

Our Ladbrokes’ insider WATC Derby betting tips 2026 and selections will be detailed below a day or two out from the event so stay tuned for the youngsters to back and sack in your Western Australian Derby bets this autumn.

The W.A.T.C. Derby is a Group 2 Perth feature for three-year-old stayers run at Ascot Racecourse on a Saturday in mid to late April during the Perth Autumn Racing Carnival. Offering a lucrative $400,000 in total prize money, the set weights clash is contested over 2400m and is the sole Group status race on WATC Derby Day.

Run a week earlier is the fillies only Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m), and the latest fillies to complete the WA Oaks – WATC Derby double are the Grant Williams-trained Delicacy (2015) who also went on to score the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) – Group 1 SA Derby (2500m) double in Adelaide, Tuscan Queen (2020), and Machine Gun Gracie (2025). 

In 2016 another Grant Williams-trained filly Arcadia Dream ran second in the WA Oaks before beating home the boys in the WATC Derby.

The best three-year-olds out of the WATC Derby will continue onto the Perth Summer Racing Carnival at the end of the year targeting the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m). Western Empire (2021) is the last horse to do the WATC Derby – Railway Stakes double in the same year, also finishing second in that year’s Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) – now known as the Northerly Stakes.

WATC Derby Race Info

• Date: Saturday, April 11, 2026
• Track: Ascot Racecourse
• Distance: 2400m
• Conditions: 3YOs – Set Weights
• Status: Group 2
• Prize Money: $400,000
• First Run: 1888

WATC Derby Betting

WATC Derby betting markets are dominated by three-year-old local stayers with proven ability in Perth lead-up races over 2000m and 2200m at Ascot.

Fillies have a gun recent record in the Derby and the WA Oaks winner often features highly up the markets for the Group 2 run against the colts and geldings a week later.

Tuscan Queen ($1.40 in 2020) and Machine Gun Gracie ($1.55 in 2025) are the latest fillies and odds-on favourites in WATC Derby betting to salute for the punters.

The Melvista Stakes winner is also usually a top fancy in the WATC Derby odds and has a top place rate in the mile and a half feature. Regal Power (2019), Western Empire (2021), Alaskan God (2022) and Sentimental Legend (2026) are the latest WATC Derby winners to come off a lead-up win in the Melvista Stakes.

Western Empire ($1.30 in 2021) and Machine Gun Gracie ($1.55 in 2025) are the latest favourites in WATC Derby betting to salute for the punters.

Western Australian Derby odds open a few weeks out from the race at nomination stage with all-in betting available before markets firm when the field is released the week of the race.

WATC Derby Field

The WATC Derby race field attracts a collection of handy three-year-olds with staying potential or proven ability over similar distance races earlier in the Perth Autumn Carnival.

The line-up usually consists of handy locally trained gallopers as opposed to the autumn’s best three-year-olds who are more likely to contest races like the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick earlier in April.

Aside from the fillies coming out of the WA Oaks the other key lead-up race youngsters come into the WATC Derby field via is the Listed Melivsta Stakes (2200m) held a fortnight earlier at Ascot Racecourse.

In 2016 Who Dat Singa won the Melvista Stakes before his second to Arcadia Dream in the Derby while the previous year in 2015 Boom Time won the Melvista Stakes before a third to Delicacy in the WATC Derby. In 2017 Gatting completed the Melvista Stakes – WATC Derby double, while in 2018 the WA Derby winner Action improved on a luckless fifth in the Melvista Stakes for his four-length win in the Group 2. The Melvista – WATC Derby double was completed again by Regal Power in 2019, Western Empire in 2021, Alaskan God in 2022 and Sentimental Legend in 2026.

In 2024 the Melvista quinella of Buckets Ridge and A Lot Of Good Men also finished one-two in the WATC Derby results but in reverse order with A Lot Of Good Men saluting in the Group 2.

WATC Derby nominations are taken the Tuesday of race week with the final field and barriers out the next day.

2026 WATC Derby Field

The official WATC Derby 2026 Final Field & Barriers will be provided below as soon as released by Perth Racing the week of the race.

The WATC Derby 2026 final field features a small but smart line-up of nine young stayers led in betting by the ultra-consistent Dan Morton-trained Wonderfully Made coming off a huge four-length win in the WA Oaks.

Ascot R9 - Schweppes - Watc Derby (G2)

Final Race time: 

	Entrant	Last 6	Sex	Barrier	Weight
	1. Aberdeen Flyer J: Brad Parnham T: Sean & Jake Casey	x53212	G	9	57kg
	2. Sentimental Legend J: William Pike T: Grant & Alana Williams	1x3121	G	1	57kg
	3. Wynn Las Vegas J: Steven Parnham T: Grant & Alana Williams	26x413	G	3	57kg
	4. Hey True Blue J: Shaun Mcgruddy T: Steve Wolfe	015664	G	2	57kg
	5. Sovereign Salute J: Natasha Faithfull T: Chris Stelmach	41275	G	4	57kg
	6. Tahni Talk J: Brayden Gaerth T: Stephen Miller	7x133	G	8	57kg
	7. Wonderfully Made J: Lucy Fiore T: Daniel Morton	x11131	F	5	55kg
	8. Masmelo J: Chris Parnham T: Neville Parnham	6x3214	F	6	55kg
	9. Poppy's Roses J: Clint Johnston-Porter T: Holly Taylor	662242	F	7	55kg

View Results

2026 WATC Derby Nominations

The early WATC Derby 2026 nominations are taken by Perth Racing the Tuesday of race week and will be published below once confirmed.

WATC Derby Form Guide

The WATC Derby form guide features all the must know info for punters each year including saddlecloth numbers, barriers, jockeys, trainers and the lead-up form of the horses in the field.

Checking for three-year-olds coming off a top three finish in either the WA Oaks or Melvista Stakes at the track two weeks earlier on the WATC Derby form guide is important.

Wide barriers are not an issue over the 2400m of the Derby, but it can be a good idea to look out for Grant Williams-trained three-year-olds on the form as he has a great strike rate in the race with in-form young guns.

The WATC Derby form was recently franked by the 2019 winner Regal Power who, after a win in that year’s Group 1 Railway Stakes and Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes, travelled to Melbourne in the autumn of 2020 to run second in the Group 1 Australian Cup and win The All-Star Mile.

In 2023 the WATC Derby third placegetter She’s Fit travelled to Adelaide for her next start and franked the form with an Australasian Oaks second.

2026 WATC Derby Form Guide

A link to our comprehensive WATC Derby 2026 Form Guide will be provided for punters the week of the race.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR FULL 2026 WATC DERBY FORM GUIDE

Past WATC Derby Results

The WATC Derby race results in recent years reveal fillies have a good record in the Group 2 against the boys, and favourites also have a decent strike and place rate.

Notable WATC Derby winners from the past decade include Western Empire (2021), Tuscan Queen (2020), subsequent The All-Star Mile champion Regal Power (2019), Delicacy (2015), Dreamaway (2011), and Guyno (2007).

Machine Gun Gracie (2025) was the last WATC Derby winning filly. 

Recent WATC Derby Winners

Past WATC Derby winners and placegetters dating back to the year 2000 are detailed in the below table.

Year	Winner	Runner-Up	Third	Time
2026	Sentimental Legend	Tahni Talk	Masmelo	2:30.86
2025	Machine Gun Gracie	Funchal	Sail Session	2:29.82
2024	A Lot Of Good Men	Buckets Ridge	Lord Vampi	2:29.80
2023	Awesome John	Another Chino	She’s Fit	2:32.0
2022	Alaskan God	Pale Rider	Black Fantasy	2:31.7
2021	Western Empire	Temptaction	Kerman Rock	2:30.9
2020	Tuscan Queen	Red Hot Tip	Criminal Code	2:32.2
2019	Regal Power	Cockney Crew	Ping Me Another	2:30.6
2018	Action	Like A Butterfly	Media Baron	2:29.9
2017	Gatting	Very Tempting	Chill The Champers	2:30.3
2016	Arcadia Dream	Who Dat Singa	Culverin	2:31.3
2015	Delicacy	Keysbrook	Boom Time	2:38.2
2014	Respondent	Ihtsahymn	Real Love	2:29.5
2013	Mystic Prince	Moreish	Desert Glow	2:31.4
2012	Rohan	Flashy Fella	The Social Network	2:34.5
2011	Dreamaway	Playing God	Rio Dane	2:30.7
2010	Chartreux	Bridgestone	Brother Mak	2:27.9
2009	Marcus Maximus	Berlioz	Phenomenons	2:31.2
2008	Grand Journey	Yuro	Star Encounter	2:28.8
2007	Guyno	Ballack	Original Lovalover	2:29.0
2006	Catsfun	Raise A Call	Scenic Shot	2:29.7
2005	Plastered	Royal Drive	Master Minx	2:31.3
2004	Mr Sandgroper	Fatal Attraction	Crown Prosecutor	2:36.2
2003	Shirazamatazz	Conspirator	Golden Prospect	2:32.8
2002	Honor Lap	Lord Mason	Storm Fille	2:31.5
2001	Not Held
2000	Old Money	Tingling	Grand Turismo	2:30.4

FAQ

Who won the 2026 WATC Derby?

The 2026 WATC Derby was won by three-year-old Brutal gelding Sentimental Lad who came off a lead-up win in the Melvista Stakes and started at $3 for trainers Grant & Alana Williams with jockey William Pike aboard for his 12th win on 57kg from barrier 1 to win by 2.05 lengths on a Good (4) track in a time of 2:30.86.

Who won the 2025 WATC Derby?

The 2025 WATC Derby was won by three-year-old Maschino filly Machine Gun Gracie at $1.55 favouritism for trainer Justine Erkelens with jockey Shaun O’Donnell aboard on 55kg from barrier 3 to win by 1.83 lengths in a time of 2:29.82.

When is the WATC Derby 2026?

Saturday, April 11, 2026

What is the prize money for the WATC Derby 2026?

$400,000

Where is the WATC Derby 2026?

Ascot Racecourse, Grandstand Road, Ascot, WA 6104.

How do I bet on the 2026 WATC Derby?

Bet online or via the latest iOS/Android apps with Ladbrokes.
The first step is to create an account at ladbrokes.com.au. The process is quick and easy!
Once you've created your account you can make a deposit via credit card, or any other of our secure payment methods. Next up, head to the racing page and find the race and runner that's right for you.

Which horse will win the 2026 WATC Derby?

The best way to pick which horse will win the WATC Derby is to take into account the form, assess the barriers, and consider the weight the horse will carry (among other factors). Check out ladbrokes.com.au in the lead up to the race for full form information.