By Nick Tedeschi
The New Zealand Derby traces its roots back to 1860 with icons such as Bonecrusher, Gloaming, Nightmarch and Kindergarten winning the race. Another champion will etch their name into equine immortality on Saturday.
- That’s Gold
Chris Wood gelding who has been in scintillating form winning the Group 2 Avondale Guineas when sitting wide and kicking clear, running the fastest last 200m. Has a super record on top of the ground and the trip won’t prove a problem. Clear top selection. - Aksil
Alexander visitor who was less than impressive at first run beyond a mile when sixth in the Avondale Guineas. Struggled over the last 400m with ordinary sectionals and unlikely to appreciate the further step up in distance. - Road To Paris
Roger James has won the Derby six times and has three runners here led by up-and-comer Road To Paris. Ran the second fastest last 600m when second in the Avondale Guineas. Will be right in the finish but awkward draw the concern. - Towering Vision
Failed to beat a runner home in the Avondale Guineas when nearly 12L off the winner. Raced well prior when getting out to a mile and beyond. Will take some forgiveness for his last shocker but far from the worst. - Geneva
Son of Time Test who has been tried at black type level five times and has yet to run a place. Concussion plates suggest bad feet and has yet to place on good going if the track gets to that. Too much against. - Yamato Satona
Colt who certainly has the credentials to win with a well-heeled ownership group and Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott training as they chase their third Derby in the last six years. He has been racing well with a third in the Waikato Guineas but likely needs it wetter. - Magic Carpet
Stephen Marsh galloper who hasn’t fired as shot since winning the Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas last September. Not gone close in two runs beyond a mile. Hard to make a case for. - Tulsa King
Placed in the Gingernuts two runs back when overshooting SP after running second quickest final 400m. Did enough in the Wairoa Cup against the older horses when running fifth, running the fastest last 400m. Likely over the odds. - Genki
Maiden with just a single placing in six starts. That was in the Avondale Guineas though when placing at big odds. Clearly an out-and-out stayer but has not shown enough to be considered. - Sweet Ice
Honest type who looks out of his depth in the Derby. Finished midfield in the Karaka 3yo and ran well in the Waikato Guineas. Well beaten in the Avondale Guineas though and wide draw a worry. - Halo’s Fire
Mark Forbes gelding who stuck on nicely when midfield in the Avondale Guineas. Sectionals weren’t great though and failed to win in benchmark 65 grade the start prior. No thanks. - Lunaman
Debuted in January with a maiden win and has progressed nicely to this with a best effort coming in the Waikato Guineas when fifth. Ran the fastest 800, 600 and 400 in the Avondale Guineas off a slow tempo. Absolutely including in exotics. - Wigmore
Long odds and deservedly so. Comprehensively beaten in restricted grade last start and no excuses when beaten at Waverley two starts back when well in the market. - Taylor Square
One of the more experienced runners but still just the one win to his name. Just been running midfield of late. Unlikely to challenge. - Autumn Glory
Exciting filly who won the Waikato Guineas before no luck in the New Zealand Oaks when held up at a critical time. Was no match the winner but ran some very sharp sectionals. Looking to do an Orchestral. - Ariadne
Filly who ran fourth in the New Zealand Oaks. Hard to make a case she stands a better hope than fellow filly Autumn Glory. Racing well but others seem to have her measure.
Selections：
1 That’s Gold
8 Tulsa King
15 Autumn Glory
12 Lunaman
