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Victoria Derby âfreakâ declared
SENTrack ⹠ October 28th, 2025 9:45 am
Prominent owner John OâNeill has declared Observer in the Victoria Derby this coming weekend.
The Godolphin colt, fresh off a dominant and arrogant victory in the Group 2 Vase (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday, will back up in the Derby over 2500m at Flemington his Saturday.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Observer may already be a $1.90 favourite with Sportsbet, but that has not deterred OâNeill from stating the three-year-old as a Derby moral.
âItâs a sit and steer, stand and cheer in the Derby,â OâNeill said on SENTrack & RSNâs Giddy Up.Â
âHe is a freak, a very nice horse.
âWe all saw he had absolutely no luck in the (Caulfield) Guineas and just won (at The Valley) with authority.
âThe form out of this race leading into the Derby is always incredible.Â
âSure heâs going to be short but donât be trying to dance around because heâll just be winning. (Mark) Zahra will be riding and heâs dangerous this time of year.â
Trainer Wayne Hawkes concurs with OâNeill.
However, he says heâd wait until after the barrier draw to be more certain of Observerâs Derby chances.
âI agree with you but I wouldnât be backing him just yet,â Hawkes said.
âIâd wait until the barriers come out because if he draws barrier 27 (very, very wide) - Iâm saying you might as well just wait until Wednesday morning at 10:30.
âIâd rather take $1.80 from barrier 5 than $2 right now not knowing.
âBut he certainly looks the one, thereâs no doubt about that.âÂ
The barrier draw for the Derby takes place on Wednesday morning.
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