He has held favouritism in Victoria Derby betting since he blew away his rivals in the Super Impose Stakes a fortnight ago and I think he’s going to justify it.

Earlier in his prep he showed some good ability at a far weaker grade and it is incredible what one performance can do for a three-year-old colt.

Riff Rocket was unlucky not to win the Neds Classic a fortnight ago, but back to Flemington, out in trip and under James McDonald? Tick, tick, TICK!

Sunsets was the horse to knock off Riff Rocket in the Neds Classic, and breeding suggests that he should only improve out to the 2500m of the Victoria Derby.

The Dundeel colt has always shown ability, but he has continued to improve with each start back this time, and turned around a six-length deficit on Riff Rocket between the Super Impose and the Neds Classic.

He’s hard fit and certainly rates as a live chance this week as well.

Apulia is on the short back-up from last weekend’s Moonee Valley Vase, and he’s another genuine chance in Victoria Derby betting.

The Fiorente colt has also improved noticeably with each start since debuting, and he gave them an absolute galloping lesson over the Cox Plate route last week, greeting the judge two lengths in the clear.

He was only fair in the Super Impose Stakes here at HQ, but the longer trip will almost certainly suit.

Verdad has been very good on a traditional path toward the Derby, and he too reaches his Grand Final on Saturday afternoon.

After breaking his maiden in dominant fashion at Bendigo last month, the Justify gelding finished a head second behind Griff in the Stutt Stakes, before finishing off well for sixth in the Neds Caulfield Guineas.

He was only denied by Apulia in last week’s Vase, and I’m confident that race has topped him off for this one.