‘Unwatchable’: Racing fans slam TV coverage, Victoria Derby winner crowned in photo finish

The winner of the Victoria Derby has been crowned in a photo finish but racing fans were furious at the “unwatchable” TV coverage.

Riff Rocket won the Victorian Derby by a nose.

Riff Rocket has won the Victoria Derby in a photo finish, capping a sensational day of spring racing.

It was a huge win for jockey James McDonald and trainer Chris Waller, just getting ahead of favourite Apulia at the finish.

But some racing fans were left feeling frustrated when Channel 10’s broadcast of the Derby cut to an ad break right after the photo finish, with some viewers even complaining the coverage went to ads as the horses were coming down the back straight.

One viewer wrote on X: “Channel 10 cutting to an ad break with 400 to go in the Derby. Thank god they are losing the rights next year.”

A second said: “Channel 10 can go f*** itself, halfway down the straight in the main race on #DerbyDay and they cut without warning to an ad.”

Another said: “Channel 10 is unwatchable.”

On Saturday evening, a Network 10 apologised for the blunder.

“During the Victoria Derby race today, our affiliate broadcast partner unfortunately switched to an ad break. All other markets were not interrupted. We apologise on behalf of our affiliate for the interruption to coverage,” the spokesperson said.

SCA regional have also responded.

“Confirming, during the Victoria Derby race today, as regional affiliate Network Ten broadcast partner, unfortunately we switched to an ad break,” an SCA spokesperson said. “We apologise for the interruption to coverage.”

Riff Rocket won the Victorian Derby by a nose.

Derby Day provided plenty of early drama at Flemington on one of the biggest race days of the year.

There has already been plenty of action at the track with long shot Kaizad pulling off a huge upset to win the Network 10 Carbine Stakes.

As reported by punters.com.au, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained runner paid out with juicy odds of $14.

Kaizad was on the 4th line of betting but they simply couldn’t head him after he pinged the lids under Tim Clark, with the fancied Heman ($3.10) taking an almighty amount of winding up from Mark Zahra before he finally got going (albeit too late) to hit the line like a hungry schoolkid for 2nd.

Damien Oliver has since stolen the show, doubling up with back-to-back wins in Race 2 and Race 3.

Tim Clark riding Kaizad wins the Network 10 Carbine Club Stakes. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images.

Race 1 @ 12:20PM — G3 Network 10 Carbine Club Stakes

WINNER: Kaizad, 2nd: Heman, 3rd: Brave Mead

Race 2 @ 1:00PM — G3 Lexus Archer Stakes

WINNER: Kalapour, 2nd: Athabascan, 3rd: Gan Teorainn

Race 3 @ 1:40PM — G3 Furphy Sprint

WINNER: Queen Of The Ball, 2nd: Hypothetical, 3rd: Dancing Alone

Race 4 @ 2:20PM — G3 Racing and Sports Rising Fast Stakes

WINNER: Spacewalk, 2nd: Crosshaven, 3rd: Najem Suhail

Race 5 @ 3:00PM — G2 TAB Wakeful Stakes

WINNER: Amazonian Lass, 2nd: Zardozi, 3rd: Harlow Mist

Race 6 @ 3:40PM — G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes

WINNER: Ozzmosis, 2nd: I Am Unstoppable, 3rd: Shinzo

Race 7 @ 4:20PM — G1 Penfolds Victoria Derby

WINNER: Riff Rocket, 2nd: Apulia, 3rd: Sunsets

Race 8 @ 5:00PM — G1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes

WINNER: Pride of Jenni, 2nd: Atishu, 3rd: Life Lessons

Race 9 @ 5:40PM — G2 The Damien Oliver

WINNER: Cause for Concern, 2nd: Bandersnatch, 3rd: Munhamek

Damien Oliver riding Kalapour leads the field at the turn in the Lexus Archer Stakes. Photo by Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images.

Here is our runner-by-runner analysis for every horse in the Derby field:

1) APULIA (Barrier: 3)

Jockey: Mark Zahra, Trainer: Ben, Will & JD Hayes. TAB: $4.80

Won last Saturday’s Moonee Valley Vase in good fashion after being backed late ($5.50 – $4.20). Was given a super ride from Mark Zahra, who sticks on Saturday and jumps from a similar barrier. The way he was strong through the line would suggest the extra trip shouldn’t pose an issue.

Verdict: Hard to dismiss.

2) VERDAD (Barrier: 4)

Jockey: Jye McNeil, Trainer: Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock. TAB: $8.50

Second to Apuilia last Saturday after setting a strong tempo upfront. He was game when fighting on for second and he should be thereabouts on the speed again. This has been the long term goal for the stable and we should see the best of him out to 2500m.

Verdict: Can bounce back.

3) AIR ASSAULT (Barrier: 6)

Jockey: Ben Allen, Trainer: Andrew Gluyas. TAB: $18

Has improved at every run this campaign and chased solidly behind Apulia and Verdad last week. Should be rock hard fit for this, but does lose the services of Damian Lane.

Verdict: Has to improve.

4) RIFF ROCKET (Barrier: 5)

Jockey: James McDonald, Trainer: Chris Waller. TAB: $2.10

When you consider the price ($1.35) he started last time out, Riff Rocket may have been disappointing when narrowly beaten in the Caulfield Classic but it was a super run. The winner (Sunsets) had an easy time of it up on the speed and had enough left in the tank to hold on by a narrow margin as the pair gapped the third horse by 2.5 lengths. The way he exploded to win the Super Impose Stakes two back was one of a very good horse and if he runs the 2500m, they will find it hard to beat him.

Verdict: The one to beat.

Riff Rocket is the hot favourite. Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

5) SUNSETS (Barrier: 16)

Jockey: John Allen, Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young. TAB: $14

Did beat the favourite last start and that horse is $2.25 whereas Sunsets is $15. Did have a picnic up on the speed that day though and it’s worth noting the start prior, he was beaten six-and-a-half lengths by Riff Rocket. Will have to work from barrier 16 as well.

Verdict: Ticks boxes.

6) MAKE A CALL (Barrier: 15)

Jockey: Jamie Kah, Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden. TAB: $61

A maiden after 15 starts, so it would be some effort to break through and win this race. It was a solid effort in a Class 1 and Maiden Plate at Kembla last time out when strong through the line and it’s worth noting the blinkers go off here. While he’s yet to win a race, he’s been competitive against the likes of Tom Kitten and Militarize in the past.

Verdict: Not the worst at a big price.

7) GOLD BULLION (Barrier: 13)

Jockey: Opie Bosson, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. TAB: $26

Winner of the Derby trial two back ahead of Sunsets before a disappointing effort in the Caulfield Classic when the market pegged him as the only real threat to Riff Rocket as a $5 chance.

Verdict: Will have to improve.

8) GATES (Barrier: 14)

Jockey: Luke Nolen, Trainer: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman. TAB: $12

Gets here third-up off two solid runs and thought his Caulfield Classic effort had plenty of merit after he made ground from the tail in a slowly run race. The son of Frankel hit the line like a horse that has the stamina to be competitive in a Victoria Derby.

Verdict: Strong winning prospect.

9) KOSGEI (Barrier: 9)

Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young. TAB: $34

Comes through the Geelong Classic when hitting the line well to grab third. Beaten 12 lengths by Riff Rocket the start prior. Confident he’ll run the trip but unsure if he has the class to win.

Verdict: Place at best.

Lance Franklin and wife Jesinta with a Gai Waterhouse trained horse Knights Order. Picture: Jason Edwards

10) BULAWAYO (Barrier: 7)

Jockey: Celine Gaudray, Trainer: Pat Carey & Harris Walker. TAB: $61

This son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente was solid last Saturday in the Moonee Valley Vase when grabbing fourth, although beaten a long way. He will have to improve off what we saw on that occasion.

Verdict: Needs to lift.

11) SACRED EAGLE (Barrier: 2)

Jockey: Jordan Childs, Trainer: Symon Wilde. TAB: $81

Broke through for his maiden win two back at Kyneton before an even effort in the Geelong Classic, finishing fourth and beaten 2.5 lengths. Blinkers go on for the first time.

Verdict: Prefer others.

12) ROGUERY (Barrier: 1)

Jockey: Billy Egan, Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell & Lucy Yeomans. TAB: $41

Strong win against the older horses over the 2000m at Kilmore last time out, beating a former SA Derby contender in Reservoir Dog. The start prior was equally as impressive, coming from last to win by four lengths, albeit in a Tatura maiden over 1980m.

Verdict: Not the worst.

13) MERCANTE (Barrier: 11)

Jockey: Damien Oliver, Trainer: Nigel Blackiston. TAB: $51

Solid effort against the older horses last time out at Ballarat. This is a big rise in grade but he hit the line well over 2000m that day and Damien Oliver is in the saddle.

Verdict: Prefer others.

14) TO BE FRANK (Barrier: 10)

Jockey: Jamie Spencer, Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace. TAB: $61

Didn’t fire any shots last time out in the Caulfield Classic when finishing last. Blinkers come off.

Verdict: Can’t entertain.

It went right down to the wire last year. Photo by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

15) WARIALDA WARRIOR (Barrier: 9)

Jockey: Darryl McLellan, Trainer: John Ramsey. TAB: $101

Trainer John Ramsey has used a 2200m race at Scone into a Group 1 successfully in the past with Never Listen doing it in 2019 when running second in the VRC Oaks. Warialda Warrior follows a similar path here having won in dominant style at Scone last Friday. He got back, circled them and stormed home like a good horse to take the win. As fit as anything in the race, he’ll run the trip and give an enormous sight.

Verdict: Shouldn’t be $126. Have something on him at the massive price.

16) TOKYO RUN (Barrier: 8)

Jockey: Declan Bates, Trainer: Dean Mirfin. TAB: $151

Led them up in the Caulfield Classic and despite going along at a soft tempo, he dropped out of it and was beaten 6-½ lengths.

Verdict: Looks outclassed.