Maiden pair chase 2025 Victoria Derby dreams
Chris Waller has once again chosen not to take sides in the long-running discussion regarding the ideal distance of the Victoria Derby.
Waller, a three-time winner of the Flemington Classic, will send out two promising runners in Providence and Savisanta for this year’s edition over 2500m.
Debate around whether the Derby should be contested over 2000m resurfaced on Tuesday, though leading trainer Gai Waterhouse was firm in opposing any change to the historic test.
Providence enters the race following a strong second in the Vase (2040m), mirroring the late preparation that worked successfully for Preferment, who built to win the Derby after running second in the Geelong Classic.
“Providence is by Wootton Basset that is a great international stallion that leaves winners over all distances, so that gives us a bit of confidence that he’ll get 2500 metres,” Waller said.
“He certainly hit the line strongly last Saturday, so he’s a great chance.”
Savisanta, like Preferment, has taken the provincial-to-stakes route into the race and showed staying determination when finishing third in the Geelong Classic.
“He’s coming off a similar preparation to what Preferment had,” Waller said.
“He’s by Savabeel, Preferment was by Zabeel, so there’s some relationship there.
“The Derby is a unique race. They have to be fit and well prepared, and stamina is the key.”
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