The 2024 Queensland Derby, one of the premier events on the Australian horse racing calendar, is set to take place at Eagle Farm Racecourse on Saturday, June 8th. This Group 1 race, run over a distance of 2400 meters, has drawn a strong field of three-year-old stayers from across the country, each vying for a share of the $600,000 prize pool.

The Runners,

1. Tannhauser – Group 1 placegetter. Last start came from midfield and won by 1.1 len at Doomben G3 Rough Habit May 18 over 2000m on a soft track defeating Autumn Angel carrying 57kg at $3.80. The start before that 4th of 10 at Randwick in the G3 Packer Plt on April 20 over 2000m, on heavy track; 1.2 len behind Kintyre with 56.5kg at $2.50. Hard to beat again.
2. Warmonger – Group 1 placegetter. Last start 2nd of 16 at Morphettville in the G1 Sa Derby on May 4 over 2500m, 1.3 len behind Coco Sun carrying 56.5kg at $6. The race before that 5th of 12 at Morphettville in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 1.1 len behind Bold Soul with 57.5kg at $2.80. Making headway. Likely to measure up again.
3. Encoder – At the latest run 6th of 14 at Ipswich 3yo Hcp on May 22 over 2180m, 3.5 len behind First Innings carrying 60kg at $10. The race before that 13th of 16 at this track in the G2 Qld Gns on May 4 over 1600m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Kintyre with 57kg at $51. Thereabouts last time but others are preferred.
4. Gold Bullion (NZ) – Last start 8th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, slow going 4.5 len behind Tannhauser carrying 57kg at $14. The run before that set the pace for much of the race 2nd of 10 at Randwick in the G3 Packer Plt on April 20 over 2000m, on a wet track; nose behind Kintyre with 56.5kg at $13. Doesn’t pose too much of a threat.
5. Navy King (NZ) – At the latest run won by 1.5 len at Flemington 3yo Hcp May 18 over 2000m in soft going defeating Saban carrying 55.5kg at $17. Before that 4th of 13 at Caulfield 3yo Hcp on May 4 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind Aztec State carrying 57kg at $21. This harder and can’t see him troubling these.
6. Kirikan (NZ) – Last start 10th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, slow going 6 len behind Tannhauser with 57kg at $26. The run before that 14th of 16 at this track in the G2 Qld Gns on May 4 over 1600m, slow going 5.5 len behind Kintyre with 57kg at $41. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.
7. Felix the Scat – At the latest run ran on from midfield; 4th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Tannhauser with 57kg at $81. The start before that 8th of 16 at this track in the G2 Qld Gns on May 4 over 1600m, slow going 4 len behind Kintyre with 57kg at $151. Prefer to see.
8. Sonofdec – At the latest run ran on strongly from last on the turn and won by 3 len at Scone Midway Bm72 May 18 over 1700m on a rain affected track defeating Pure Hydrogen carrying 56kg at $8. The race before that won by a long-neck at Newcastle Bm64 May 4 over 1500m on a rain affected track defeating Centenario carrying 59.5kg at $6. Steps up a level here.
9. Bullets High (NZ) – Most recently favourite; ran on from midfield and won by a nose at Warwick Farm Bm72 May 22 over 2130m in soft going defeating Gottabesavvy with 56kg at $3.30. The start before that got back early 6th of 10 at this track 3yo Bm70 on May 8 over 1800m, slow going 2 len behind Hiyaam Proud carrying 59.5kg at $4. Big chance.
10. Agita – At the latest run 5th of 13 at Randwick 3yo Bm72 (71) on May 25 over 1800m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Invincible Spy carrying 58.5kg at $6.50. Before that came from the tail of the field 2nd of 13 at Hawkesbury Bm78 on May 4 over 1800m, 1.5 len behind For Victory carrying 54kg at $6.50. Hard to recommend.
11. Warialda Warrior – At the latest run 6th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Tannhauser carrying 57kg at $81. The start before that 11th of 16 at Morphettville in the G1 Sa Derby on May 4 over 2500m, 8 len behind Coco Sun with 56.5kg at $61. Not today.
12. First Innings (NZ) – Group 3 placegetter. At the latest run won by 2.25 len at Ipswich 3yo Hcp May 22 over 2180m defeating Misterkipchoge carrying 55kg at $21. Before that 3rd of 11 at Ellerslie in the G3 Trelawney Stud on April 20 over 2100m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Moonlight Magic with 57kg at $9. Hard to beat again.
13. Shy Guy – Last start 3rd of 14 at Ipswich 3yo Hcp on May 22 over 2180m, 3 len behind First Innings with 53.5kg at $81. Before that 7th of 9 at Ipswich Bm70 on May 11 over 1666m, slow going 5 len behind This’llbetheone with 56.5kg at $7.50. Can’t see him troubling these.
14. Saban – At the latest run 2nd of 15 at Flemington 3yo Hcp on May 18 over 2000m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Navy King carrying 54.5kg at $10. Before that came from midfield and won by a neck at Cranbourne Mdn-Sw May 3 over 2025m defeating Sun Gift with 59.5kg at $2.90. Prefer to watch at this stage.
15. Anderson Bridge (NZ) – Most recently 4th of 10 at Warwick Farm Bm72 on May 22 over 2130m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Bullets High with 56.5kg at $3.50. The run before that settled back and ran on when 7th of 12 at Newcastle Bm78 on May 11 over 2200m, in the wet; 5 len behind Speycaster with 54kg at $8. This race looks too tough.
16. Purveyor – Most recently 9th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, slow going 6 len behind Tannhauser with 57kg at $151. Before that 4th of 10 at Beaudesert Cl3 on May 4 over 1650m, slow going 2.5 len behind Kerchak carrying 58kg at $2.90. Needs plenty of luck to trouble the top few.
17. Moonlight Magic (NZ) – Resumes off a 42 day let-up. Most recently settled well back; won by 2.5 len at Ellerslie G3 Trelawney Stud April 20 over 2100m on a rain affected track defeating Solidify with 55kg at $3.80. The start before that 4th of 12 at Trentham in the G3 Manawatu Clssc on April 6 over 2100m, slow going 4 len behind Outovstock with 55kg at $11.60. Doesn’t rate well enough.
18. Autumn Angel – ATC Australian Oaks winner. At the latest run 2nd of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, slow going 1.1 len behind Tannhauser with 55kg at $2.50. Before that favourite; settled well back; won by 0.8 len at Randwick G1 Atc Oaks April 13 over 2400m defeating Zardozi carrying 56kg at $6. Best form should see her measure right up.
19. Mannerheim – Most recently got back early 11th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, slow going 6 len behind Tannhauser with 57kg at $61. The race before that won by 1.1 len at Ipswich Cl1-Sw May 1 over 1700m in soft going defeating Chassagne with 59.5kg at $2.50. Unlikely to threaten.
20. Misterkipchoege (NZ) – Last start 2nd of 14 at Ipswich 3yo Hcp on May 22 over 2180m, 2.25 len behind First Innings with 54.5kg at $3.50. The start before that 12th of 16 at this track in the G2 Qld Gns on May 4 over 1600m, slow going 5 len behind Kintyre with 57kg at $7.50. One of the roughies.
21. Saxon Brave – At the latest run tried to lead throughout but was claimed late 2nd of 8 at Gold Coast Poly Bm62 on May 18 over 2000m, nose behind Viadelamore carrying 57.5kg at $26. The start before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 6th of 11 at Ipswich Cl1-Sw on May 1 over 1700m, slow going 5 len behind Mannerheim with 56.5kg at $26. Just missed last start but likely to struggle this time.
22. Kadavar (NZ) – Half-brother to Group 1 winner Miami Bound. Last start 13th of 16 at Doomben in the G3 Rough Habit on May 18 over 2000m, on a slow track; 7 len behind Tannhauser carrying 57kg at $61. Before that made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 10 at this track 3yo Bm70 on May 8 over 1800m, on a slow track; 0.6 len behind Hiyaam Proud with 58.5kg at $11. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.
23. Kairos Louie (Scratched) – Last start raced on the pace before fading 10th of 14 at Ipswich 3yo Hcp on May 22 over 2180m, 5 len behind First Innings carrying 53kg at $81. Before that won by 3 len at Beaudesert Mdn-Sw April 25 over 2450m in the wet defeating Jungle Jet carrying 57.5kg at $2. Not doing enough.

Expert Tips

Group 1 placegetter TANNHAUSER (1) made considerable ground to win last time out at Doomben over 2000m. Will be working into the finish. ATC Australian Oaks winner AUTUMN ANGEL (18) well fancied last time when second at Doomben. Jumps up in trip today, expected to run well. Group 3 placegetter GOLD BULLION (4) ran midfield last start at Doomben on a soft track. Is up in trip today, each way chance. WARIALDA WARRIOR (11) finished sixth last start, beaten 3.5 lengths at Doomben over 2000m. Has claims. Group 1 placegetter WARMONGER (2) closed off nicely when beaten 1.3 lengths last time at Morphettville. Can contest for a place.

Tips: (1)-(18)-(4)-(11)-(2)