Trainer Chris Waller will chase more Group 1 glory on Derby Day at Flemington this weekend including saddling-up the top fancied mare Atishu in the 2024 Empire Rose Stakes field.

He has prepared two past champions of the Group 1 $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) with Red Tracer (2013) and Shillelagh (2018).

The stable came close last year when Atishu ran a length second to Pride Of Jenni in the quinella before her Group 1 VRC Champions Stakes (2000m) success just seven days later.

The now seven-year-old daughter of Savabeel returns lining up in her third straight Empire Rose Stakes having also placed fifth to Icebath back in 2022.

She is the current favourite in Empire Rose Stakes betting at $4.40 through Ladbrokes.com.au to go one better than last year following some good lead-up runs this prep including a last start third in the Group 1 Might And Power (2000m) at Caulfield with James McDonald to ride from gate nine.

Second favourite at Empire Rose Stakes odds of $5.50 after drawing a treat in gate two is former WA mare and Group 1 champion Amelia’s Jewel now under the care of Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald.

Jamie Kah has the ride on the bonny five-year-old third-up with Amelia’s Jewel looking for her first win since the Group 2 Stocks Stakes last September.

While she comes off a notable winning drought, her recent form has been solid including a Golden Pendant second and last start fifth to Ceolwulf in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes in Sydney.

Following closely in the markets at $7 is New Zealand raider Orchestral for Roger James & Robert Wellwood.

The bonny Savabeel four-year-old is out to recapture her form from earlier in the year when winning five races on the trot including the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) and Rosehill’s Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) as a filly.

She lost few irers when a close third to Autumn Angel in the Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) but has been disappointing with back-to-back sixths this time in.

At her latest she was nearly 10 lengths beaten in the Toorak behind runaway winner Antino over the Caulfield mile, a distance she sticks too at Flemington this weekend drawn wider out in barrier 12 for Mark Zahra.

Plenty Of Ammo meanwhile is the early Empire Rose Stakes market mover for Symon Wilde backed into $7.

This ultra-consistent mare is a daughter of 100/1 Derby champ Rebel Raider and comes off a Group 2 Crystal Mile second on Cox Plate Day last weekend.

She’s fit on the quick back-up and has a good mile record.

The 2024 Empire Rose Stakes is scheduled as Flemington Race 8 at 5:00pm (AEDT) as the penultimate Derby Day race.

CHANCES ARE YOU’RE ABOUT TO LOSE.

For free and confidential call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.