A final field of thirteen three year olds will line up in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on the first day of ‘The Championships’ on Saturday with the Victorians Jameka and Tarzino set to steal the show.

Tarzino will start favourite in the Australian Derby aat Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Ciaron Maher trained Jameka, the winner of the 2015 Group 1 $1m Crown Oaks (2500m) at Flemington in the Spring is the only filly in the Australian Derby field and is set for a rematch with Tarzino after running third to the Victorian colt in Group 1 $600,000 Sky Racing Rosehill Guineas (2000m) at Rosehill last Saturday week.

One notable omission from the Australian Derby field is the Rosehill Guineas runner up Montaigne who has been sold to Hong Kong interests after running fourth to Preferment in last Saturday’s Group 1 $1.5m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill.

Tarzino is chasing his second Derby trophy after winning the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington during the 2015 Melbourne Spring Carnival and the Mick Price trainer colt has returned in the Autumn in outstanding form.

Tarzino was beaten a nose at his second run back to Palentino in the Group 1 $750,000 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on March 5 before coming out and coring a dominant win in the Rosehill Guineas.

Premiership winning trainer Chris Waller will saddle up Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes winner Vanbrugh and Torgerson while Godolphin royal; blue colours will be carried by Etymology and Talty.

The final Australian Derby field: 1 Tarzino, 2 Vanbrugh, 3 Etymology, 4 Tally, 5 Sovereign Nation, 6 Torgersen, 7 Gold Ambition, 8 What’s The Story, 9 Tavago, 10 Crosley Hotshot, 11 Oh So Splendido, 12 Alfden, 13 Jameka.