VICTORIA DERBY

$1.5 million for three-year-olds (2500m)

HISTORY

* First run in 1855 when won by Rose Of May, the Victoria Derby is six years older than the Melbourne Cup and one of the oldest races in the world

NOTABLE WINNERS

* Manfred (1925), Phar Lap (1929), Skipton (1941), Comic Court (1948), Delta (1949), Tulloch (1957), Sky High (1960), Tobin Bronze (1965), Dulcify (1978), Mahogany (1993) and Efficient (2006)

TALKING POINTS

* James Scobie holds training record with eight winners

* The late Bart Cummings and the late TJ Smith share modern-day training honours with five winners each

* Gai Waterhouse, daughter of TJ Smith, became the first woman to train a Victoria Derby winner when Nothin' Leica Dane, part-owned by her father, won in 1995

* Legendary jockey Bobby Lewis holds record for most number of Victoria Derby wins with eight

* Tulloch the shortest-priced favourite at 1-10 when he won in 1957

* Martini-Henri won the 1883 Victoria Derby at his first start and Melbourne Cup at his second

THE DISTANCE: The 2500m is a query for every runner as the Victoria Derby offers the first chance for three-year-olds to be tested at the distance. However, many believe class is just as important as stamina in a Derby.

* MAIDENS: Fire Oak (1990) became first maiden since Martini-Henri to win. Two years later Redding repeated the feat.

Last year Preferment also broke his maiden in the Derby and became the 44th individual Group One winner for his sire Zabeel to take him to within one of his own father Sir Tristram who re-shaped the Australasian breeding industry

WHAT THE MAIN PLAYERS ARE SAYING:

"I hope the market is right and he wins. I like the short-priced favourites. Most of them win." Mick Price who trains Tarzino.

(Price has tried many times to win the Derby with his best result second in 2003 with Kempinsky. He has also had a third, fourth, fifth and sixth while Moonovermanhattan was unplaced a year ago.)

"Not in your wildest dreams, you'd believe I'd be here at my age. To have three horses in work and to have one here, it could be life-changing." Man Of Choice's 32-year-old trainer Luke Price

"All of his runs have been good and have been ideal Derby runs." Get The Picture's trainer Stuart Webb

"Look, if he doesn't win the Derby I'll still think he's a great horse." Ayers Rock's trainer Shawn Mathrick