Derby Day kicks off the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington, with a huge day of racing headlined by the three-year-olds tackling 2500m in the Victoria Derby. We run the rule over every runner, looking at the ticks and knocks for each contender.
TAB fixed odds correct as of 3pm AEDT, 29nd October 2026 (please visit tab.com.au for the latest).
1. Cormier (3) - $4.80
The tick: Puts himself on speed and has been gallant leading in his past two, including a second in last week's 2000m Spring Champion Stakes. Should settle handy again, and with cover this time, he could be even more effective.
The knock: Inexperienced and travelling. Trainer Paul Messara admitted during the week the Derby is an afterthought and they're only here due to a lack of depth in the field. A young horse on the quick seven-day turnaround and travel is a query.
2. Stormy Marco (16) - $4.60
The tick: Has been an eye-catcher hitting the line strongly in his past two starts while stepping up in distance each time.
The knock: Does himself no favours with his racing pattern and will likely have to take his medicine again and go back again from the wide barrier.
3. True Rebel (17) - $8.00
The tick: Deserves plenty of respect for the way he's racing. Hasn't missed a place in four starts and beat many of his rivals home last week.
The knock: The jury is still out on his Group 2 Vase form given the slow tempo. Doesn't look bred to stay and will need to find cover from barrier 16.
4. King Snitz (6) - $10.00
The tick: Was a surprise winner at Caulfield last start to make it two wins in a row, following his 2000m maiden win at Warrnambool. Looks to have relished the step up in trip.
The knock: The Norman Robinson was a bit of a sit-and-sprint, and this shapes as a much tougher contest.
5. Murshidi (18) - $13.00
The tick: An impressive Geelong Classic winner over 2200m, breaking his maiden and looking stronger the longer the race went. A grinding, genuine staying effort that suggests he'll run out the trip.
The knock: Only just got there at Geelong despite enjoying the best run in transit, and he's drawn the carpark.
6. Vallice (14) - $13.00
The tick: Racing well in good company and should relish the trip. Was gallant leading last start, and has handled wet ground when finishing second in the Super Impose two runs back.
The knock: Still had every chance last start but peaked on his run.
7. Skua (13) - $14.00
The tick: On-pacer. Big improver in last start's Vase, where he led. Liked the way he kept digging in and fighting all the way to the line.
The knock: Can race keenly, will be tougher to sustain an effort over the longer trip.
8. Cignetti (12) - $16.00
The tick: Ran well in the slowly run Group 3 at Caulfield last start, clocking the fastest closing splits of the race. Four placings from six starts reads well, and can definitely improve up in trip.
The knock: Has been racing in slowly run contests without winning and could face a similar setup again against three-year-olds who may need that tempo to see out a distance they've never tackled.
9. Icy You (10) - $16.00
The tick: Only went down narrowly in Geelong and hasn't finished worse than 4th in five starts (1-3-0). Consistent, tries hard and should eat up the distance.
The knock: Looks to lack a turn of foot and has been beaten by key rivals in three straight starts.
10. True Tone (15) - $19.00
The tick: Having the Geelong Classic (2200m) under his belt is a positive. Loomed as the winner before peaking late and finishing third.
The knock: Still had his chance at Geelong, so needs to find improvement.
11. Hierarchy (4) (SCR)
12. Written Empire (2) - $34.00
The tick: Won a maiden against a promising type in Murshidi second-up, then stuck on well for third two starts ago.
The knock: Thought he was quite plain in the Vase, with too many rivals finishing ahead of him.
13. Russian Rock (7) - $26.00
The tick: Had the race shape against him when well backed last start and missed the kick, so thought it was a decent effort all things considered. Should be a good chance if the pace is more genuine here.
The knock: Failed to quicken when the pressure went on in the Norman Robinson, and missing the start again would do him no favours.
14. Cold Shower (5) - $61.00
The tick: Won a maiden over 2270m two starts ago and did it comfortably. All three career starts have been over 2000m, so distance should be no issue.
The knock: Was no match for his rivals in the Geelong Classic after settling behind the speed. Needs to improve significantly on that effort.
15. King Winston (9) - $41.00
The tick: Ran the second-fastest final 200m in the Vase and has given every indication he'll handle the rise in distance.
The knock: Still a maiden and was beaten more than nine lengths two starts ago.
16. Quick Finish (11) - $21.00
The tick: The lone filly in the field, and therefore gets the 2kg weight allowance. Comes here off three wins and should be able to nab a forward position again from barrier 11.
The knock: Had the bias in her favour in the Group 3 Ethereal and this is a sharp rise in distance.
17. Meet The Prince (1) (EM1) - $151.00
18. Locked In (8) (EM2) - $151.00