Queensland Derby

Winners and Past Results

One of the classic staying races hosted by Brisbane Racing Club during its winter racing carnival in June is the Group 1 Queensland Derby. Free $200 Bet

The 2400 metre race for three year old horses is run under set weights at the Eagle Farm race track in Brisbane. A purse worth $500,000 awaits the winning connections on Eagle Farm's premier race day which also includes other major Group 1 races, the Stradbroke Handicap and The TJ Smith for two-year-olds. The premier staying event attracts a fine crop of three year olds preparing for the Victoria Derby in Melbourne and AJC Derby in Sydney.

Among the major warm up races for three year olds include the Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes at Eagle Farm Racecourse and Doomben Classic at Doomben. In 2006, Ice Chariot won the Grand Prix Stakes prior to lifting the Queensland Derby. Earlier, he finished as runner up in the Doomben Classic. Several horses have either placed or won both events. Another lead up race is the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate also held at Doomben Racecourse in May over a distance of 2020 metres.

The most recent horse to win the Rough Habit Plate and Queensland Derby in succession was Empires Choice in 2007. Some horses come into the race after a run in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks held over 2400 metres at Eagle Farm. Although it may not be a handy form guide, 2010 winner, Dariana, with Michael Rodd in the saddle, was unplaced in the Oaks before scoring victory here. Michael Rodd went on to steer the $4.00 Derby favourite, Shootoff, to victory in the 2011 Queensland Derby as well. The duo finished fourth in the Group 1 Doomben Cup earlier at Doomben.

Several of the finest stayers in Australian thoroughbred racing history have stamped their authority on the Queensland Derby since it was first run as a principal race in 1868. This includes Kingston Town in 1980 and Rough Habit in 1990 although De Gaulle Lane clocked the fastest time of 2 minutes and 25.2 seconds. Strong stayers like Kingston Town brought the Queensland Derby its Group 1 status.

Other notable gallopers to win include Tulloch in 1957, Royal Sovereign in 1964, Strawberry Road in 1983, Yippyio in 1997, and Court Ruler in 2009. For punters, the Queensland Derby may be a good race to bank their money on placegetters for the rest of the season.

2011 Queensland Derby

Shootoff was all guts in winning the Derby, settling just ahead of midfield in the running but hitting the front as they came into the straight. From this point he fended off a host of fast-finishing challengers to claim victory by a long head. Shez Sinsational and Heidlicious rounded out the top three with both looking likely in the last 100 metres, only to be thwarted by a determined Shootoff.

2011 Queensland Derby result

1. Shootoff
2. Shez Sinsational
3. Heidlicious

Then came:

4. Yulalona
5. Charing Cross
6. Oforawesome
7. Mr Light Blue
8. Single
9. Leading
10. Hour Of Peril
11. Satch
12. Turnitup
13. Shadows In The Sun
14. From London
15. Diamond Jim
16. Equissential
17. Alma 's Fury
18. Playaction