Tarzino remains a clear favourite in 2015 Victoria Derby betting market and trainer Mick Price said that he can’t fault the horse ahead of the Group 1 event at Flemington on Saturday.
Tarzino remains the punters elect in the 2015 Victoria Derby. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Tarzino has been on top of Victoria Derby betting markets since he finished a luckless seventh behind Press Statement in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 10 before he justified his status as favourite with a fast-finishing third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) on October 24.
Price told Sky Racing Radio that he has been thrilled with the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival preparation that Tarzino has had and he is confident that the Tavistock colt can deliver him his first Victoria Derby victory.
“The horse looks well,” Price said.
“He looked great this morning and he is nice and bright.
“He has had a pretty good prep to get 2500.
“Spring three-year-olds you need to be a bit careful with them and you can’t just keep grinding away, but he had no luck in the Caulfield Guineas and in the Vase when he drew out we rode him cold.
“It was going to be alright, but James McDonald put a heap of speed on in that race when we were a long way from them and his effort to run a strong closing third was certainly a pointer of what we think of his prospects over 2500 metres.
“I am looking forward to it.”
Tarzino was allocated barrier ten at the 2015 Victoria Derby Day barrier draw that was held earlier in the week, but Price has always been confident that was an ideal draw for the three-year-old.
Price admits that you always need luck in running to win a Victoria Derby, but he is confident that Tarzino has the tactical versatility that is required to take out the $1.5 million race.
“I think that the gate is ok,” Price said.
“The race needs to be run the right way and you need a bit of luck.
“You need a relaxed three-year-old that is a big tough type horse to win the 2500 and something that sits in the pack somewhere having a snooze and then gets out at the right time to hit the line.
“Hopefully that is us.
“He fires up when we fire him up and he relaxes when we need him to relax.
“I think it should work out alright and if he can’t win I have no complaints.”
Tarzino is currently available at 2015 Victoria Derby odds of $2.50 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from Kia Ora Koutou ($7.50) and Lizard Island ($10), Get The Picture ($11), Shards ($14) and Pay Up Bro ($14).
You can score the best Victoria Derby odds with Ladbrokes, who are offering Best Tote or Starting Price +20% on every single race at Flemington on Saturday.
