Derby barrier draw: Winners and losers

Barriers are out for the 2025 Victoria Derby and it could be a case of ‘how far’ Observer after he came up with the plum draw in gate four.

The 2500-metre start at Flemington is one of the trickiest in Australian racing - there’s only a short run before that sharp bottom bend, meaning barriers are all-important.

This year’s Derby, like so many in recent seasons, lacks genuine depth, so nailing the map is vital. You don’t want to be stuck behind a slow one when the pressure goes on turning for home.

There’s some potential early tempo drawn out wide, with Matsuda (19) one runner capable of really pressing on and injecting speed through the first 400 metres.

Here is the barrier draw:

Winners:

Observer (4) – He could simply be the winner. He led them up in the Vase last week when drawing out, but from a soft draw on Saturday, expect Mark Zahra to settle just behind the speed. If there’s any doubt on the colt at 2500m, then gate four only helps his chances of seeing it out.

O’sheamus (5) – Didn’t have much luck in the Vase last week, not that he would’ve got close to Observer if he did. But, gate five gives him every chance on Saturday. He can stalk Observer and if he’s good enough then there will be no excuses with the gate.

Options (7) – Lovely gate for him. He is a natural get-back horse, but from gate seven hopefully he can have a few horses behind him in the run.

Deal Done Fast (1) – I’d be looking to settle leader’s back from gate one on this bloke, potentially even looking to lead if nothing else wants to take it up. He got squeezed out at the start in the Caulfield Classic last time out, hence why he settled midfield.  Strikes me as a real stayer who actually wants a genuine 2500m test, whereas a few rivals will be vulnerable if this is genuinely run. Gate one allows Stackhouse to be right on speed without working.

Neutral

Providence (12) – Not the perfect gate but probably doesn’t hurt this bloke’s chances. He would drift back anyway and gate twelve ensuring clean air is much better than gate one which could see him bailed away on the fence.

Losers

Highvol (15) – He was good in the Geelong Classic when racing more forward (albeit flattered by the pattern). From the wide draw I imagine they will have to revert to his previous pattern of settling towards the tail and looking to round up his rivals. He could’ve made use of a better gate, but Blake Shinn faces a tough task from the alley.

Autumn Mystery (17) – This bloke is taking his Mornington trainer on quite the ride but I imagine he would’ve been a touch disappointed when he saw gate seventeen! He was able to settle handier to them in a moderately run Caulfield Classic (from gate two) last time out but from the wide draw he’s likely going to spot most of the field a start.

Matsuda (19) – Another horse who has some tactical speed but this will be a tough ride for Thomas Stockdale into the first turn. I imagine they will endeavour to be positive, but he might have to work hard to get up near the speed.

Arabian Prince (20) – This colt still needs to get into the field (currently first emergency), but if he does the draw won’t help. He has settled at the tail in most of his starts and from a wide draw he will have to do so again on Saturday, likely needing to pass every runner – which won’t be easy.