Snowden says Complacent best of three Victoria Derby runners

Victoria Derby favourite Complacent has the backing of trainer Peter Snowden as the pick of his three runners in Saturday’s three-year-old classic at Flemington.

Complacent is Peter  Snowden's pick for the Victoria Derby.

Complacent is Peter Snowden's pick for the Victoria Derby. Photo by Steve Hart.

As well as the Spring Champion Stakes winner, Snowden will saddle up promising colts San Diego and Tupac Amaru.

Complacent stamped himself as the one to beat in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) after winning the Group 1 $400,000 Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 12.

While San Diego showed that he is on the improve with a gutsy second to Polanski in the Group 3 $150,000 Jacob Park Thoroughbreds Norman Robinson Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 19.

And Tupac Amaru has shown some staying potential with a fighting second to Gamblin’ Guru in the Listed $120,000 Emsley Lodge Geelong Classic (2200m) at Geelong on October 23.

“Complacent has the better turn of foot, whereas San Diego and Tupac Amaru are grinding types,” Snowden told Racing Netwrok.

“I don’t work them together but I’d lean to Complacent and his record shows that. He’s a Group 1 winner and I think he’ll handle the step up to the 2500m.”

Complacent will come up against rival Sydney three year old Savvy Nature  after the John O’Shea trained gelding laid out his Victoria Derby credentials with an impressive win in the Group 2 $220,000 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 26 after running third to Snowden’s colt in the Spring Champion Stakes.

“The Sydney form looks strong, especially with Savvy Nature coming out and doing what he did at Moonee Valley,” Snowden said.

“The Norman Robinson was a good race, San Diego tried hard but Polanksi was just too good on the day.

“I think it will be quite a big field in the Derby, I understand they are expecting quite a few runners.”

Complacent at $4 holds a slight margin over Savvy Nature at $4.40 in the market order for the Victoria Derby with San Diego an $8 chance just ahead of the Norman Robinson winner Polanski at $9.

Spring Champion Stakes runner up Criterion is next in the betting at $9.50 with Snowden’s third runner Tupac Amaru at $16.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.