Celebrity tips: Jump in with the winning crowd on Derby Day

WHICH horse can former top jockey Katelyn Mallyon not get enough of ahead of the Victoria Derby? Get all her tips for a big day of racing plus see who our experts are backing.

THE atmosphere at Flemington is electric on Derby Day.

You can feel it, from the lawn to the Birdcage and even on horseback.

I was fortunate enough to be riding last year, but even the three years before that I made a point of going to Derby Day.

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There is a buzz across the track, I don’t know whether it is because it’s the first day of the Melbourne Cup carnival or not, but it feels quite different.

The racing is exceptional, too, for what is probably one of the best race cards on the Australian racing calendar.

Especially for the three-year-olds, with the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes for the sprinters and the Victoria Derby for the next crop of stayers.

The fields are insane, and ridiculously competitive, but if I had the choice I’d like the ride these horses in the four Group 1s:

RACE 5 2.25pm

$1 MILLION COOLMORE STUD STAKES (1200M)

No. 2 ZOUSAIN

Trainer: Chris Waller Jockey: James McDonald

Zousain, a clone of his father Zoustar, who won this race in 2013, gets his chance today, having gone close without winning twice before at Group 1. It took budding champion and stablemate The Autumn Sun to get past Zousain in both the Golden Rose (1400m) and JJ Atkins Plate (1600m) and we all know what his engine can do.

RACE 6 3.05pm

$500,000 EMPIRE ROSE STAKES (1600M)

No. 15 AMPHITRITE

Trainer: Darren Weir Jockey: Dean Yendall

This big jumbo jet gets a 5.5 kilogram weight drop and may just be the filly to beat the mares. Amphitrite could be our next star, she won the Edward Manifold with something more to give and then, in a messy Thousand Guineas, she rounded them up to win easily.

Katelyn Mallyon at the top of game when riding. Picture: AAP

RACE 7 3.50pm

$2 MILLION VICTORIA DERBY (2500M)

No. 1 THINKIN’ BIG

Trainers: Gai Waterhouse-Adrian Bott Jockey: Tim Clark

I almost fell over when I saw this horse parade before winning his maiden on debut at Canterbury, he just took my eye straight away. This impressive son of High Chaparral has strong staying pedigree with bloodlines on the dam side to Gai’s 1995 Derby winner Nothin’ Leica Dane. It suggests running out a strong 2500m shouldn’t be a problem and I love the way he arrogantly looks around in his races before putting rivals to bed.

RACE 8 4.35pm

$1 MILLION KENNEDY MILE (1600M)

No. 1 HARTNELL

Trainer: James Cummings Jockey: Hugh Bowman

It’s hard to go past four-time Group 1 winner Hartnell, such an honest galloper who carries weight (59kg) well. Hartnell was brave in defeat last start, second to Land Of Plenty, who carried only 53 kilograms in the Toorak. With a 2.5 kilogram swing I think the old warrior Hartnell can turn the tables. He loves Flemington and the 1600m, with Hugh aboard he can win.

CELEBRITY DERBY DAY TIPS

MATTHEW HILL

BEST BET

OSBORNE BULLS RACE 3, No. 1

Drops back in grade from Everest. Quality sprinter.

VALUE BET

VASSILATOR RACE 1 No. 2

Chased a promising horse last start.

BRUCE McAVANEY

Channel 7 commentator

BEST BET

VERRY ELLEEGANT RACE 2 No. 2

Two fantastic runs since joining Darren Weir’s all-conquering stable. Should be winning on her way to the Oaks.

VALUE BET

GALLIC CHIEFTAIN RACE 4 No. 7

Having an impressive but winless campaign so far. His 8th in Caulfield Cup was full of merit.

SHANE CRAWFORD

Channel 9

BEST BET

DIVINE QUALITY RACE 9, No. 11

I’ve always liked the horse and reckon she can surprise at good odds with a big performance here.

VALUE BET

KAONIC RACE 8, No. 20

Going to need some scratchings to get into the race, but if the horse does, I am banking on some Chris Waller magic.

Shane Crawford: Divine Quality

Bruce McAvaney: Verry Elleegant

MARK WAUGH

FOX cricket commentator

BEST BET

OSBORNE BULLS RACE 3, No. 1

High quality horse who comes off a big run in the Everest.

VALUE BET

ARAMAYO RACE 7, No. 2

Loved the way he ran on for third at the Valley last start. Hoping Angland gives him a good steer.

JAIMEE ROGERS

TAB

BEST BET

A PRINCE OF ARRAN RACE 4, No. 2

Huge first start in Oz, beaten BY less than two lengths by Melbourne Cup fave Yucatan.

VALUE BET

LE ROMAIN RACE 8, No. 2

Tough and honest horse who is proven in this class.

Everyone loves a winner, particularly during Flemington Cup Week. Picture: AAP

SAM GROTH

Former tennis ace

BEST BET

LAND OF PLENTY RACE 8, No. 4)

Won the G1 Toorak and the Flemington mile looks perfect.

VALUE BET

ALOISIA RACE 6, No. 5

Looks back at her best after she ran the fastest last 400m on Caulfield Cup day.

ROSS STEVENSON

3AW presenter

BEST BET

JAMEEH RACE 4, No. 10

Best set for this and is in top form.

VALUE BET

ARAMAYO RACE 7, No. 2

Gets the chance to turn the tables on the favourite on a bigger track.

EXPERTS HAVE THEIR SAY

MICHAEL MANLEY (Herald Sun)

OSBORNE BULLS RACE 3, No. 1

His racing style should be suited by the straight. He flew home for third in The Everest.

VALUE BET

VASSILATOR RACE 1, No. 2

GLENN McFARLANE (Herald Sun)

VERRY ELLEEGANT RACE 2 No. 2

Super impressive win against the pattern in the Etheareal, and looks ready to go on with the job.

VALUE BET

JAAMEH RACE 4, No. 10

LAUREN WOOD (Herald Sun)

THINKIN BIG RACE 7, No. 1

Can’t see Gai and Adrian’s fella getting done here. He does his own thing — as we saw last start — and don’t think today will be any different. Aramayo probably the worry.

VALUE BET

LEAN MEAN MACHINE RACE 5, No. 4

SIMON MOY (SuperRacing)

VERRY ELLEEGANT RACE 2, No. 2

One of the few runners to make ground this day when successful in the Ethereal Stakes. The one to beat.

VALUE BET

SUNLIGHT RACE 5, No. 10

CHRIS VERNUCCIO (SuperRacing)

ZOUSAIN RACE 5, No. 2

It took a phenomenal finish by The Autumn Sun to beat him in the Golden Rose. That race rated very highly.

VALUE BET

LAND OF PLENTY RACE 8, No. 4