Yulong pays late Australian Derby entry fee after Pocketing claims determined victory in Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill

The Group 1 Australian Derby wasn’t on the agenda for Pocketing but a fighting win in the rescheduled Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill has forced a change.

Pocketing scored a career best win in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Pocketing forced his way into Group 1 Australian Derby calculations just four days out from the coveted staying test after producing a career-best performance at Rosehill Gardens on Tuesday.

The Richard and Will Freedman-trained gelding didn’t hold a nomination for the Derby but has forced owners Yulong to make a $44,000 late-entry fee with a determined victory in the Group 2 $300,000 Tulloch Stakes (2000m).

The Freedmans will continue monitor the son of Grunt in the lead up to Saturday before deciding if he lines up on the short turnaround.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

“It isn’t a bad trick in the spring Oaks with the Wakeful and the (VRC) Oaks very close,” Will Freedman said.

“I think a few of those horses (out of the Tulloch) will end up going to the Derby.”

A crack at the Derby wasn’t on the radar two months to the day before Pocketing’s Tulloch win when he failed to beat a runner home in a Midway event after suffering cardiac arrhythmia.

A victory over the mile at Randwick last start encouraged the Freedmans to have a crack at the Tulloch.

Pocketing gets there in an exciting finish to the G2 Tulloch Stakes! 🎉@R1CHARDFREEDMAN | @willfreedman | @JoshuaParr8 | @YulongInvest | @aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/X815HpaIEn

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 1, 2025

Jockey Josh Parr had Pocketing ready to pounce in behind the leaders in the three-year-old Derby lead-up and rounded up the pacesetters at the furlong pole.

Firm Agreement ($9) made a late dash closest to the fence while King Of Thunder ($5.50) surged down the outside but neither could reel in Pocketing ($9).

“It became a real test in the back end of that race,” Parr said.

“I guess that is a combination of testing ground and at a proper gallop.

“The last furlong of that race was survival of the fittest, I guess you could say.”

“I think it will race reasonably well, it is holding together quite well but it is definitely a testing track.”

Parr has been booked for Pocketing in the Derby where the gelding is a $15 chance.

Originally published as Yulong pays late Australian Derby entry fee after Pocketing claims determined victory in Tulloch Stakes at Rosehill