Queensland Derby Tips - Autumn Angel backed in Eagle Farm Group 1

Adam Cusworth

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Last updated: 29 May 2024

Adam Cusworth 29 May 2024

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Preview of the 2024 Queensland Derby
Who will take out the Eagle Farm Group 1?
Top contenders include Autumn Angel, Tannhauser, and Warmonger

Expired

Autumn Angel (Getty Images)

The Queensland Derby is one of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday and is for horses aged three-years old.

Worth $1 million, the Queensland Derby will be held at Eagle Farm on Saturday June 1.

Autumn Angel is favourite for the Queensland Derby ahead of Tannhauser and Warmonger.

Autumn Angel will be out to become the first filly to win the Queensland Derby since Dariana in 2011. Recent winners include Kovalica and Kukeracha, who were both prepared by Chris Waller.

The Sydney trainer has six runners in this year’s edition of the race, including the second favourite, Tannhauser. A field of 18 plus five emergencies have accepted for the $1 million race to be run on Saturday.

2024 Queensland Derby Preview

Nine runners come out of the Rough Habit Plate (2000m) and it was Tannhauser, who saluted at his first run as a gelding, getting the upper hand late over Autumn Angel.

The latter was fresh off a five-week break following her Australian Oaks (2400m) triumph and produced the fastest last 600m, 400m and 200m. Hard to see any of the beaten brigade from that race turning the tables on that pair.

A number of gallopers had their last start outside of Queensland, including Warmonger, who produced a massive run when four wide without cover for the entire trip when runner-up in the South Australian Derby (2500m).

The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper cops the visitors draw (barrier 23) again.

Navy King and Saban ran quick time when putting a seven length gap on the rest of them at Flemington on May 18 over the 2000m. That form might hold up. First Innings looks to be the pick of the two Kiwi gallopers and was impressive when overcoming a wide run to score at Ipswich at his local debut.

Speed could be a bit muddling here as a number of gallopers like to get back. Navy King might take up the running, while Shy Guy and Gold Bullion are a couple of others that have gone forward in the past but there does appear to be a lack of tempo.

Autumn Angel may be strung up behind runners from barrier 1, while Tannhauser has options from barrier 3.

Warmonger will jump from the widest barrier, while First Innings, Navy King and Bullets High are among last start winners that draw double digits.

2024 Queensland Derby Tips

Best Bet - Autumn Angel

Tannhauser was impressive in the Rough Habit Plate last time but the key ingredient is the extra 400m and we know that AUTUMN ANGEL will gobble up the trip after her impressive win in the Australian Oaks at Randwick two starts ago.

The daughter of The Autumn Sun will be saving every inch of ground from the inside barrier and I am banking on Mark Zahra being able to find clear air when the race begins to heat up from the 800m to the 600m.

We are likely to be racing on a track in the Soft to Heavy range and she is proven in those conditions, while the five-week break in between runs from her Oaks triumph to her Rough Habit run should ensure there is enough left in the tank after five previous starts this preparation.

Value Bet - Navy King

I wouldn’t mind having something each-way on NAVY KING.

The Victorian rises to Group 1 level from an Open Handicap but has produced some slick times at his past two starts when unlucky back on May 4 behind Aztec State before settling in a more forward position on a hot tempo before taking over to defeat Saban at Flemington on May 18, again over the 2000m.

The son of U S Navy Flag has been a noted improver up in trip and gives the impression that he can handle the 2400m, while he is one of few contenders in this race that has the capability to go forward.

There might not be huge amounts of pressure up front here and the Symon Wilde-trained galloper can give them something to chase at nice odds.