3 minute read

It's one of the biggest, if not the biggest, day on the Australian racing calendar. Derby Day at Flemington never disappoints.

It's a cracking betting card as always this year. The Derby holds up as an interesting contest and the Coolmore Stud Stakes, which has become as much a highlight as the Derby itself in recent times, looks a terrific betting heat with a clash of formlines and opinions.

Our opinion is that the bet of the day lurks in the Coolmore field. Zousain split a pair of star colts in a strong overall rating in the Golden Rose last time and he looks a terrific chance of emulating his father Zoustar and landing the Coolmore on Derby Day.

He is currently fighting for favouritism with Written By and Sunlight but we think it should be more clear cut.

Written By and Sunlight were stars of the two-year-old crop but, for all that both have a pair of wins to their name, neither have produced form quite at that level in their three-year-old season.

That leaves them needing a spike to match where we fancy Zousain lands here and that makes him very appealing.

Diplomatico has huge upside but not anything like the meat on the bones of his form compared to Zousain. We can risk him and see Sesar and Lean Mean Machine as the biggest threats at this point.

There are plenty of good horses at good odds on a card that is an each-way players delight. We'll try and fill the kitty up early with our best each way which comes in the first - Good 'n' Fast.

He comes through the Guineas where he put a plain Prelude run behind him by closing into fourth. The mile clearly played to his strengths there and the return to Flemington looks another positive for him today.

His Flemington runs have all been terrific and give him a great look at a race where a couple of his key rivals draw slightly awkwardly. Let's hope he can take advantage.

THE MELBOURNE MAIL

Bet Of The Day: Race 5 #2 Zousain @ $4.00

Each Way Play: Race 1 #3 Good 'n' Fast @ $10.00