The Victoria Derby and Crown Oaks winners Tarzino (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Jameka (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) are set to go head-to-head once more with the latter having swerved last weekend's G1 Vinery Stud S. in favour of Saturday's G1 BMW Australian Derby, in which she is the sole female runner.
The pair last met a fortnight ago in the Rosehill Guineas, which was won by Tarzino with Ciaron Maher's hardy filly less than two lengths back in third. She will attempt to follow in the footsteps of Shamrocker (NZ) (O'Reilly {NZ}), who was the last filly to win the Australian Derby when beating 13 male rivals back in 2011.
The Rosehill Guineas form has been augmented by a good show last weekend from the runner-up Montaigne (NZ) (Road To Rock {Aus}), who took on his elders for the first time and finished a decent fourth to Preferment (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) in The BMW and has subsequently been sold to race on in Hong Kong.
Tally (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) is unbeaten this preparation for Godolphin and comes in to the Derby on the back of four straight wins, the last two in Group 2 company over 1800 and 2000 metres, respectively. His stablemate Etymology (Aus) (New Approach {Ire}) was sixth most recently in the Rosehill Guineas and pushed Tarzino to the line for second in October's Victoria Derby, so seeing out the 2400 metres of this race will be well within his compass.
Another bouncing into the Derby from the Rosehill Guineas is Chris Waller's fourth-placed Vanbrugh (Aus) (Encosta De Lago {Aus}), winner of the G1 Spring Champion S. at Randwick in October for the partnership of Merriebelle Stables and Francis and Barbara Kennedy. Waller also saddles Torgersen (NZ) (Pins {Aus}), who is making a quick return to action following last Saturday's runner-up finish to the impressive Old North (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) in the G2 Tulloch S. at Rosehill.
G1 New Zealand Derby runner-up What's The Story (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}) is making his first start on Australian soil and should not be discounted. His regular jockey Samantha Spratt has been replaced by Blake Shinn.
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