Stormy Marco and James McDonald sprinted clear at the 300m to win the Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington for Chris Waller, beating $101 shot Cold Shower by two lengths with the filly Quick Finish third. Here’s what the jockeys said.
It is always important to hear what the jockeys say after the race, as you can forgive a horse’s bad run or even find a winner next start, so head to the post-race comments below.
MEET THE PRINCE (Jackson Radley) – 16th
He’s not up to them.
KING WINSTON (Daniel Stackhouse) – 15th
He began well but he was just on the bridle too strong the whole race and it just took it out of him.
TRUE TONE (Jason Collett) – 14th
He didn’t settle well enough today to see out the trip.
SKUA (John Allen) – 13th
Really disappointing. We were forced to work a bit more than ideal early. Once he found the front, he got into a good enough rhythm but he punctured early. Possibly the three week back-up might have caught up with him.
Read more: Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026: The Next Episode Wins for Maher
WRITTEN EMPIRE (Harry Coffey) – 12th
He had an interesting run. It was a bit tough. He got keen with horses around him. Made a mid-race move and because of that (he) didn’t stay the trip. Probably next preparation.
RUSSIAN ROCK (Michael Dee) – 11th
Probably, like many others, he just didn’t get the trip today. He was out on his feet but he’s done a good job.
VALLICE (Mark Zahra) – 10th
He struggled today.
ICY YOU (Craig Williams) – 9th
To his credit, he has done an amazing job to finish ninth. He never travelled through the whole race. When you see the result, the second and fourth horses were his form from the Geelong Classic. It will be interesting to see how he comes through the run because he didn’t feel that well when I pulled him up after the contest today.
KING SNITZ (Damian Lane) – 8th
Disappointing result but not disappointed with the horse. He just went really keen on that muddling tempo which in turn, he didn’t see the trip out as well as required. He’s had big preparation, too. His first racing preparation, he has done a big job.
CORMIER (Jamie Mott) – 7th
I was happy to get cover today. I happy to get cover and ended up having a good run throughout. Just took him a while to settle. So first time at the trip, pulling for the first 600-metres, probably cost him late.
Read more: Victoria Derby Winners: Every Winner Since 1855 and Race Records
CIGNETTI (William Pike) – 6th
He jumped better than I wanted him to and we ended up closer than I intended, but we had a nice breather mid-race. I thought I was travelling really well leading into the straight but he didn’t find under pressure.
TRUE REBEL (Billy Egan) – 5th
He had a lovely run. He just didn’t stay the distance but it was an honest effort from him.
MURSHIDI (Blake Shinn) – 4th
Super run. He stayed on well. He endured a bit of a tough run but went super.
QUICK FINISH (Jye McNeil) – 3rd
Really proud of her effort. She has come so far this prep and I thought she was really tenacious against the boys at the top level today.
COLD SHOWER (Jett Stanley) – 2nd
Such gallant run. Credit to Gai, Adrian and the whole team to get him here. We know he’s a true stayer. Unfortunately one has a turn-of-foot that he doesn’t have. Coming back to the line, he was going closer and closer to getting there. He’s a beautiful stayer and he’s got longevity in his career and hopefully he can keep kicking goals.
STORMY MARCO (James McDonald) – 1st
I just want to keep it smooth, I want them to relax. Had Zahra (riding Vallice) to my inside, and he was saying, ‘sleep baby, sleep’. So that’s all we did, the two of us, and he had superior form. So happy Chris backed him up. He just knows his horses so well. He was here to produce a wicked turn of foot.
It was just like I was on Verry Elleegant again, it was so smooth.
It’s a funny thing barrier draws. We drew the car park, but when you’re drawing inside, you feel like you have to hold the spot. If this horse probably drew inside, we would have been niggling to the first corner, a little bit disorganized.
I don’t think he’s like your typical VRC Derby horse, but he’s got class. He’s a sharp horse. I thought he could have been a Guineas horse, you know, so it shows the ilk we hold him in, he’s done a good job.
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Read Our Stormy Marco Victoria Derby Result Story Here
More News
- Victoria Derby 2026: Stormy Marco Wins for Waller
- Coolmore Stud Stakes 2026: The Next Episode Wins for Maher
- Victoria Derby Winners: Every Winner Since 1855 and Race Records
- Melbourne Cup Winners: Every Winner Since 1861 and Race Records
- Racing Form Guide
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