These horses will win the VRC Derby and Coolmore Stud Stakes

Japanese runner Stinger Glass has been withdrawn from Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup on veterinary advice, shifting racing focus to Saturday’s VRC Derby Day at Flemington. The horse was scratched on Friday after leg scans indicated a heightened risk of injury. This withdrawal follows the earlier scratching of Saint George on Thursday. Consequently, Future History, trained by Greg Hickman and ridden by Jamie Melham, secures a starting position in the prestigious race. Attention now turns to two major Group 1 events scheduled for Saturday. The $3 million VRC Derby is set for 4.20 pm, while the $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes takes place at 3.40 pm. Analysts have identified key contenders for both races based on recent form and market positions. In the VRC Derby, Sydney-based runners Cormier and Stormy Marco occupy the top spots in the betting markets. Cormier is by sire Maurice, while Stormy Marco is by Wootton Bassett. Their status stems largely from finishing third and fourth, respectively, in the Group 1 Champion Stakes over 2000 meters at Randwick last week. That race was dominated by the filly Proxima Dea, with many observers rating it as the strongest form guide available. Cormier holds a barrier advantage in box three, whereas Stormy Marco draws from box fifteen. However, the combination of trainer Chris Waller and jockey James McDonald offers a counterbalance to the poor draw. The distance remains a question mark for both horses. True Rebel emerges as a primary threat after winning the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase over 2040 meters at Flemington last week. Historically, this race serves as a reliable indicator, though its relevance this year is debated. True Rebel is sired by the sprinter Rebel Dane, a factor viewed with some concern, and he starts from gate sixteen. Another contender is King Snitz, by Snitzel, who won the Group 2 Norman Robinson over 2000 meters by a nose from Skua, by Ghaiyyath. While that race appeared to be B-grade form, analysts note there are no clear A-grade performers in the current field, giving both horses a realistic chance. Longshot candidates include Cignetti, who displayed strength from deep in the Norman Robinson, despite being by the sprinter Super Seth. In the Geelong Classic, Murshidi, Icy You, and True Tone finished one, two, and three. Murshidi is by the Japanese stallion Maurice, and True Tone is by Dundeel. The odds-on outsider Meet The Prince, priced at 150-to-1, is considered unlikely to perform well, having failed to win an Echuca maiden. For the Coolmore Stud Stakes, The Next Episode is the favorite. Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Mark Zahra, the horse delivered a dominant performance in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes over 1100 meters. The increase to 1200 meters suits the horse, which handles the Flemington straight track effectively and performs well on soft ground. Threats to the favorite include St Gotthard, a well-bred colt trained by Waller and ridden by McDonald, and the filly Satono Glow, prepared by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton and ridden by Ben Melham. These two represent the best New South Wales form, excluding Warwoven, who dominated the Caulfield Guineas. Upset possibilities include Nick Ryan’s gelding Doubt Time, described as untapped, and Bjorn Baker’s Paradoxium. Paradoxium could potentially hold off late charges if it settles near the front early in the race.