Australian Derby 2018
Ladbrokes Tip: The Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby is a popular autumn betting double
The Australian Derby, also known as the ATC Derby, is one of four Group 1 races taking place at Royal Randwick Racecourse on the first Saturday in April on Day 1 of The Championships. The meeting is also referred to as Doncaster Mile Day and the other elite levels on the card are the TJ Smith Stakes, ATC Inglis’ Sires Produce Stakes and the Doncaster Mile.
The Australian Derby is open to three-year-old horses and offers $2 million in total prize money including $1.2 million to the winning youngster. Run at set weights over 2400m the colts and geldings carry 56.5kg and the fillies 54.5kg.
The winners of the Randwick Guineas and Rosehill Guineas are exempt from Australian Derby ballot each year and provide key lead-ups to the mile and a half classic. The Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby double was last completed by Criterion (2014).
The latest edition of the Australian Derby took place on Saturday April 7, 2018 .
2018 Australian Derby Results
- 1st: #6 Levendi
- 2nd: #1 Ace High
- 3rd: #3 Tangled
Australian Derby Race Info
- Date: Saturday April 7, 2018
- Track: Royal Randwick Racecourse
- Distance: 2400m
- Conditions: Set Weights – 3YOs
- Status: Group 1
- Prize Money: $2 million
- First Run: 1861
2018 Australian Derby Results
The 2018 Australian Derby results and finishing order will be known on Saturday April 7, 2018 and published below.
The official 2018 ATC Derby Results saw the Peter Gelagotis-trained Levendi dig deep to hold off the favourite Ace High and complete the Tulloch Stakes – Australian Derby double on the quick back-up for the second time in two years after Jon Snow did the same in 2017.
Place | # | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br. | Weight | SP |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 6 | LEVENDI | Peter Gelagotis | Mark Zahra | – | 3 | 56.5kg | $6 |
2 | 1 | ACE HIGH | David Payne | Tye Angland | 0.1L | 2 | 56.5kg | $5EF |
3 | 3 | TANGLED | Chris Waller | Michael Walker | 5.9L | 9 | 56.5kg | $26 |
4 | 2 | VIN DE DANCE (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Jason Waddell | 6.5L | 4 | 56.5kg | $9 |
5 | 16 | MAIN STAGE (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Blake Shinn | 6.8L | 10 | 56.5kg | $26 |
6 | 8 | FURORE (NZ) | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 8.3L | 7 | 56.5kg | $5EF |
7 | 4 | MONGOLIANCONQUEROR (NZ) | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 8.7L | 6 | 56.5kg | $12 |
8 | 15 | MONGOLIAN MARSHAL (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Craig Williams | 9.6L | 18 | 56.5kg | $51 |
9 | 10 | WEATHER WITH YOU | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Jason Collett | 10.3L | 1 | 56.5kg | $21 |
10 | 17 | CONDOR | Paul Perry | Craig Newitt | 10.6L | 13 | 56.5kg | $151 |
11 | 13 | ENDOWMENT (NZ) | Chris Gibbs | Damien Oliver | 14.4L | 14 | 56.5kg | $71 |
12 | 14 | BELFAST | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Kerrin McEvoy | 15.3L | 15 | 56.5kg | $14 |
13 | 12 | MISSION HILL | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Damian Lane | 15.6L | 8 | 56.5kg | $12 |
14 | 5 | CAPITAL GAIN | Paul Butterworth | Ben Melham | 22.3L | 12 | 56.5kg | $101 |
15 | 9 | SALSAMOR (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Zac Purton | 23.3L | 17 | 56.5kg | $21 |
16 | 18 | PISSARO | Robbie Laing | Sam Clipperton | 30.3L | 11 | 56.5kg | $301 |
17 | 7 | ASTORIA | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 35.8L | 5 | 56.5kg | $21 |
18 | 11 | THE LORD MAYOR (NZ) | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 99L | 16 | 56.5kg | $101 |
– | 20e | LOVE WAVES (NZ) | Anthony & Edward Cummings | – | – | 0 | – | – |
– | 19e | YURALLA BOY | Todd Howlett | – | – | 0 | – | – |
Australian Derby Odds & Betting
Australian Derby betting markets are dominated by young staying types showing a potential to step up to 2400m and run out the distance.
The best performers in the Rosehill Guineas over 400m shorter a fortnight earlier always feature highly in the Australian Derby odds and the double was achieved twice in three years when It’s A Dundeel (2013) and Criterion (2014) scored both Group 1s. Mongolian Khan (5th in 2015) was the last ATC Derby winner to back-up from a run in the Rosehill Guineas.
Fillies have a very poor record against the boys in the Australian Derby and make a risky punt with only one beating home the boys in over 30 years in Shamrocker (2011) as they are usually taking on their own kind in the Australian Oaks the following weekend.
Australian Derby betting favourites saluted three times from 2006 – 2018 most recently with Criterion (2014).
2018 Australian Derby Betting
The Australian Derby odds 2018 will be published below as soon as our markets are open on the three-years-old autumn classic.
Australian Derby Field
The Australian Derby field features a selection of the season’s best staying three-year-olds facing off over the mile and a half, many seeing the distance for the first time. The traditional lead-up for horses heading into the Australian Derby field is the Group Rosehill Guineas (2000m) held a fortnight before, a race that produced all but four of the Australian Derby winners from 2009 – 2018.

Criterion (2014) is one of the last Australian Derby betting favourites to salute for the punters. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
Three times since 2003, 18 horses have lined-up in the Australian Derby field when Clangalang (2003), Criterion (2014) and Levendi (2018) won against capacity fields. Australian Derby nominations are taken on a Monday in early February before first acceptances a month later in the first week of March.
Final Australian Derby acceptances then close on the Tuesday before the race attracting a fee of $7,700 for connections when the field and barrier draw is released.
2018 Australian Derby Field
The Australian Derby 2018 field and barrier draw will be released on Tuesday April 3, 2018 and published below
- 2018 Australian Derby Nominations closed on February 12, 2018 and attracted 155 three-year-olds
- 2018 Australian Derby First Acceptances were taken on March 13, 2018 leaving 67 youngsters.
The official 2018 ATC Australian Derby Final Field attracted a capacity 18 starters plus two emergencies led by the Victoria Derby winner Ace High in barrier two chasing the rare interstate Derby double. The Rosehill Guineas runner-up Tangled in barrier 10 and third placegetter Furore in gate eight are other live-wire hopes coming off a nice lead-up run over 2000m.
# | Form (Last 10) | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Hcp. Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 55111×5546 | ACE HIGH | David Payne | Tye Angland | 2 | 56.5kg | 106 |
2 | 2235×46314 | VIN DE DANCE (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Jason Waddell | 4 | 56.5kg | 102 |
3 | x94220x602 | TANGLED | Chris Waller | Michael Walker | 10 | 56.5kg | 94 |
4 | 921×132728 | MONGOLIANCONQUEROR (NZ) | Stephen Autridge & Jamie Richards | Opie Bosson | 6 | 56.5kg | 90 |
5 | 2251×60090 | CAPITAL GAIN | Paul Butterworth | Ben Melham | 14 | 56.5kg | 88 |
6 | x1661x5021 | LEVENDI | Peter Gelagotis | Mark Zahra | 3 | 56.5kg | 88 |
7 | 15533×3242 | ASTORIA | James Cummings | Glyn Schofield | 5 | 56.5kg | 87 |
8 | 11113 | FURORE (NZ) | Kris Lees | Brenton Avdulla | 8 | 56.5kg | 86 |
9 | 2x2273x294 | SALSAMOR (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Zac Purton | 19 | 56.5kg | 82 |
10 | x24718x553 | WEATHER WITH YOU | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Jason Collett | 1 | 56.5kg | 80 |
11 | 141640 | THE LORD MAYOR (NZ) | Chris Waller | Corey Brown | 18 | 56.5kg | 80 |
12 | 211×11567 | MISSION HILL | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Damian Lane | 9 | 56.5kg | 79 |
13 | 1324850 | ENDOWMENT (NZ) | Chris Gibbs | Damien Oliver | 16 | 56.5kg | 79 |
14 | 112435 | BELFAST | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Kerrin McEvoy | 17 | 56.5kg | 77 |
15 | 3742114 | MONGOLIAN MARSHAL (NZ) | Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman | Craig Williams | 20 | 56.5kg | 77 |
16 | 212135×400 | MAIN STAGE (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Blake Shinn | 12 | 56.5kg | 75 |
17 | 3235×21280 | CONDOR | Paul Perry | Craig Newitt | 15 | 56.5kg | 69 |
18 | 1644×04950 | PISSARO | Robbie Laing | Sam Clipperton | 13 | 56.5kg | 68 |
19e | x973451319 | YURALLA BOY | Todd Howlett | TBA | 7 | 56.5kg | 62 |
20e | 2210 | LOVE WAVES (NZ) | Anthony & Edward Cummings | TBA | 11 | 56.5kg | 63 |
2018 Australian Derby First Acceptances
The official Australian Derby 2018 First Acceptances are now out with 67 three-year-olds still heading towards the mile and a half classic including the VRC Derby winner from last season Ace High who is on the improve, last seen running a close fourth third-up in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 3.
2018 Australian Derby Nominations
The official ATC Australian Derby 2018 Nominations feature 155 hopefuls including the Victoria Derby winner Ace High and trainer Darren Weir’s smart colt Cliff’s Edge who resumed for the autumn with a win in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m). A total of 12 fillies feature in the ATC Derby nominations including the Thousand Guineas winner Aloisia.
Australian Derby Tips
Australian Derby tips are usually determined by the results of the Rosehill Guineas two weeks earlier at Sydney’s other premier track. Only three times from 2001-2018 has an Australian Derby winner run worse than fourth in their lead-up run with Roman Emperor (2009) and Mongolian Khan (2015) both coming off fifths in the Rosehill Guineas, and Tavago (2016) improving on a sixth in the NZ Derby before his upset win at Australian Derby odds of $31.
Other Australian Derby betting tips include avoiding fillies who have a very bad record in the race and sticking to Sydney form with just three winners in over 30 years not coming off a Rosehill run last time out.
2018 Australian Derby Tips
Our exclusive Australian Derby 2018 betting tips on the three-year-old stayers to back and sack in the feature autumn staying showdown will be available below the week of the race so stay tuned.
- 1st: #2 VIN DE DANCE ($8.50)
- 2nd: #6 LEVENDI ($12)
- 3rd: #1 ACE HIGH ($4.80)
VIN DE DANCE ($8.50) won the NZ Derby over this distance back home across the Tasman before travelling down under for an official fourth in the key ATC Derby lead-up from the past two decades, the Rosehill Guineas (2000m). Was second past the post but relegated to fourth on protest. Give another chance especially over this distance from this gate at Randwick for four-time winning trainer Murray Baker. LEVENDI ($12) is the only last start winner in the field, the Victorian having debuted in Sydney’s Tulloch Stakes last Saturday and now looking to do the double Jon Snow completed in 2017. Good gate again (3) and ticks a few boxes at a price. Distance query, but breeding and the on-pace victory last weekend suggest he’ll see it out. ACE HIGH ($4.80) is the other proven stayer looking for a Derby double. VRC Derby champ in the spring, also a Group 1 Sydney winner. Has had four runs this time in just off the placegetters, but a dry track and extra meters on Saturday should work very nicely for the firming favourite.
Australian Derby Form Guide
The Australian Derby form guide shows the full field, barriers, jockeys, trainers and lead-up runs of the three-year-olds in the mix. Using the information to place a well-informed tip is essential and it is a great idea to look at horses that ran top three in the Rosehill Guineas last time out when doing the Australian Derby form.
Historical data dating back from 1983 shows that most Australian Derby winners jumped from barriers 1 – 8 with the most successful gates in that time being 1 with six winners and 8 with seven winners up until 2016.
Australian Derby Form Facts
- Just three fillies from 1983 – 2018 have won the Australian Derby
- Rosehill is the best form to follow into the race with all but three of the Australian Derby winners (from 1983 – 2018) having come off a run at Sydney’s other best race track
- The Rosehill Guineas – Australian Derby betting double is a popular one with punters and history shows Criterion (2014) was the last horse to win both races
- Barrier one has produced the most successful Australian Derby results in the past 30 years including three straight wins from 2014 – 2017
2018 Australian Derby Form Guide
A link to our comprehensive Australian Derby 2018 Form Guide will be provided for punters below the week of the race.
Australian Derby Results
The Australian Derby results and finishing order are known when the race runs on Day 1 of Sydney’s The Championships on the first Saturday in April. Along with the Australian Derby winner the results reveal the winning trainer, jockey, margin and time as well as the starting prices of all the runners.
The most notable upset Australian Derby results in recent years include Tavago ($31 in 2016), Ethiopia ($15 in 2012) and Nom Du Jeu ($26 in 2008).
Notable Australian Derby winners in the past 10 years include Mongolian Khan (2015), Criterion (2014), It’s A Dundeel (2013) and Headturner (2006).
Australian Derby Winners
Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
---|---|---|---|---|
2018 | Levendi | Ace High | Tangled | 2:28.7 |
2017 | Jon Snow | Harper’s Choice | Hardham | 2:38.1 |
2016 | Tavago | Jameka | Tally | 2:37.1 |
2015 | Mongolian Khan | Hauraki | Volkstok’n’barrell | 2:37.1 |
2014 | Criterion | Tupac Amaru | Hooked | 2:38.4 |
2013 | It’s A Dundeel | Philippi | Kingdoms | 2:33.4 |
2012 | Ethiopia | Polish Knight | Laser Hawk | 2:28.7 |
2011 | Shamrocker | Retrieve | Anacheeva | 2:29.4 |
2010 | Shoot Out | Descarado | Monaco Consul | 2:32.6 |
2009 | Roman Emperor | Harris Tweed | Predatory Pricer | 2:31.0 |
2008 | Nom De Jeu | Red Ruler | Littorio | 2:36.2 |
2007 | Flumicino | Ambitious General | Tuesday Joy | 2:36.4 |
2006 | Headturner | De Beers | Testafiable | 2:29.9 |
2005 | Eremein | Stella Grande | Railings | 2:35.8 |
2004 | Starcraft | Braeloch | Delzao | 2:34.8 |
2003 | Clangalang | Strasbourg | Mummify | 2:32.3 |
2002 | Don Eduardo | Carnegie Express | Pentastic | 2:32.7 |
2001 | Universal Prince | Sir Clive | Danamite | 2:30.8 |
2000 | Fairway | Shogun Lodge | Now Voyager | 2:34.0 |