The 2018 WATC Derby takes centre stage in Perth over the weekend with a gun field of young stayers set to do battle at Ascot Racecourse, our insider tips and the latest odds on the mile and a half clash found below.
Jockey Chris Parnham (pictured on San Amaro) rides the WA Oaks winner Special Alert in Saturday’s 2018 WATC Derby at Ascot. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell.
Running as Race 8 on Saturday, the lucrative Group 2 $400,000 Schweppes W.A.T.C. Derby (2400m) has attracted a full field but only three are under double-figures at Ladbrokes.com.au for the win.
The latest WATC Derby betting markets have Action as the firming favourite backed in from $4.50 to $3.70 to salute for the punters.
He had a tough run from the outside barrier in the Listed Melvista Stakes (2200m) here a fortnight back and is out to atone on his fifth in that from a good gate four draw on the weekend.
Prolific WA owner Bob Peters has a host of chances in the race chasing his seventh WATC Derby trophy and jockey William Pike had the pick of the bunch, opting to reunite with Action in a confidence booster for punters.
The dangers according to the WATC Derby odds are the in-form Daniel & Ben Pearce-trained JC Roberts – Melvista Stakes double winner Money Maker ($5.50) chasing a third win on the trot and the rails-drawn Sentimental Friend ($6), stablemate to the favourite Action and one of six in the line-up for trainers Grant & Alana Williams.
So will the best three in betting battle it out for the win or is there an upset WATC Derby result pending on Saturday from the likes of Peter Hall’s mount Tellem We’re Comin ($11), the WA Oaks winning filly Special Alert ($11) or consistent placegetter Media Baron ($13)?
1st
#14 Like A Butterfly ($14)
Going for a bit of value and think the fillies might have it this year, Like A Butterfly impressive in her lead-up WA Oaks second. Lou Luciani’s daughter of Blackfriars won two on the trot in March, ran third in the Natasha Stakes and relished the 2400m when a half-length beaten in the Oks after a wide run from gate 16 of 16. She gets the chance to turn the tables on her last start conqueror here from gate 11 (into 10) with the Oaks winner Special Alert jumping from barrier 15 of 16 in the rematch. Right distance, Jason Whiting continues associations, has no problem winning races and with her powerful turn of foot can surprise the boys at a price.
2nd
#2 Action ($3.70)
No doubt Action is the one to beat having sat at the top of WA Derby betting for most of the lead-up. Things haven’t gone 100% to plan for the well-bred son of Pierro, but he finally gets out to 2400m here and from the good draw (4) can settle closer and produce a mighty finish. Hasn’t won since mid-October last year, but the lead-up runs have all been solid and he was making up ground in the Melvista late. Pike aboard, can finally post a 2018 win if things go his way and the fillies’ form doesn’t hold.
3rd
#13 Special Alert ($11)
WA Oaks winner and stablemate to the favourite Action, Special Alert is proven at the 2400m and that’s always a plus in these races. She comes back in weight and was at a blowout price for her lead-up victory. The daughter of Not A Single Doubt is being kept safer in betting here and remains in the mix, but needs to improve from the wide barrier. Still, the WA Oaks form has stacked-up in this race plenty of times over the years so cannot leave her out.
Whether you’re backing or sacking our insider WATC Derby 2018 tips ensure you’ve got access to the best Perth racing odds online this weekend through Ladbrokes.com.au.
