Queensland Derby 2023

In a hurry? We’ve listed all the quick facts that you need to know about the Queensland Derby:

The Queensland Derby is a Group 1 race which takes place each year in May. The race in 2023 will be held on Saturday 27th of May at Eagle Farm Racecourse. Looking back to the race in 2021, it was won by Pinarello.

In November 2021, Racing Queensland announced that a number of races in their blossoming Winter Carnival will see an increase in prizemoney. The Queensland Derby is one of the lucky races, having it’s prizemoney increased from $600,000 to $1,000,000.

Along with this announcement, Racing Queensland also informed the public that in an effort to entice more 3 year olds into their new $1,200,000 race, the Q22, they will be offering $100,000 cash or $250,000 in QTIS vouchers if a horse can finish first or second in the Queensland Derby or Queensland Oaks, then go on to finish in the first three in the Q22.

Originally run in 1868 at Gayndah Racecourse, over three hundred kilometres northwest of Brisbane, it was first run at its current and spiritual home of Eagle Farm in 1871 where it has remained ever since barring a few occasions where it has taken place across the road at Doomben over 2200m, due to course renovations.

Whilst it features one of the longest honour rolls among the Group 1 races on the Australian turf, it also features a rich one with the likes of Tulloch, Kingston Town, Strawberry Road and Rough Habit all having claimed the race.

Issues with the Eagle Farm track surface, the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increasing trend from Australian breeders to produce precocious speed horses, has seen the quality of the winner’s list diminished over recent years, however it now appears at least two of those issues are now somewhat behind us, and buoyed by a recent prize money increase, it is hoped the race can return to something closer to its former glory.

The Queensland Derby is an Australian Group 1 held at Eagle Farm Racecourse, it is one of the biggest races in the Queensland racing calendar and forms part of the Winter Racing Carnival in the Sunshine State.

As there is $1,000,000 worth of prizemoney attached to the race, it means the Queensland Derby attracts some of the greatest horses from across the country to Queensland. It also attracts Aussies who enjoy a casual punt on the races. Your trusted expert racing tipsters here at The Shark will compile a list of Queensland Derby tips so you can have more confidence when placing your bets.

As the nominations are yet to be accepted for the Queensland Derby in 2023, it is hard to provide any updates on our tips. However, as the Winter Racing Carnival in Queensland continues on, the horses that are looking to gain a start in this race will become a lot clearer. If you are looking for Queensland Derby horse tips, then you don’t need to stress as we will keep you updated with all the different horses that are likely to be a part of the race.

When on the lookout for Queensland Derby tips, be sure to check out our betting section below as we have listed some factors for success in the Queensland Derby.

We will list The Sharks’ Queensland Derby best tips for the race this year closer to race day. Make sure you check back regularly on this page for updates!

Queensland Derby Tips From Experts

Our tips are not out for the Queensland Derby in 2023 as it is too far out from the event. But the good news is that when the final field for the Queensland Derby is announced, we will provide guidance on each and every runner in the 2023 Queensland Derby.

You will find all this information below, when it becomes available. Stay tuned!

There are a lot of important factors to consider before betting on the Queensland Derby. Make sure you have a read on below before you place your bets:

Is Previous Queensland Derby Form a Good Indicator of Future Success?

This hasn’t been the case in recent years with most of the winners of the Queensland Derby unable to reach the competitive heights of Group 1 level in their four year old season and beyond. Hawkspur and Mr Quickie being the only two real exceptions to the rule.

Should I Bet On The Favourite in the Queensland Derby?

Favourites have saluted 16 times since 1983, whilst of the past 11 winners, 7 have been $5 or shorter, only 3 in double figures with the longest price being $14.

Formlines from Lead Up Races

Since 2000, six winners have come from the Rough Habit, whilst six winners have come from the Grand Prix.

Age

The Queensland Derby run at Eagle Farm is a race for three year olds.

Weight

The Queensland Derby run at Eagle Farm is a race run under set weights conditions.

Gender

Whilst some fillies have won the race, an overwhelming majority of entires and geldings have won the race, including in 2022, when Pinarello, a gelding, won the Queensland Derby.

Queensland Derby Best Bets

Our Queensland Derby best bets for 2023 are not out just yet, make sure you keep an eye out on this page as we will provide more details about our best bets when the final field is announced.

You will find our best bets below once available. Stay tuned!

Well before the Queensland Derby field is released to the public – there are bookmakers that will open up early markets, or all-in markets, for all your Queensland Derby betting needs. The team here at The Shark think this is the ideal time to bet on your chosen horse, this is because you could get tasty odds before they potentially shorten in the days leading up to the big race.

Once the bookies announce their Queensland Derby odds for 2023, they are likely to fluctuate each day. There are a number of things that cause this, but when we get a clearer picture of the quality of horses targeting the Queensland Derby, along with their recent form, you will see movement in the odds.

Placing your bets in any of these early markets, means you could find the eventual favourite at double digit odds. Which is obviously something that all us punters are striving to do, because it means if your horse does eventually win, you will get more cash money in your back pocket! However, there is increased risk if you choose this option and therefore you need to be aware of what could happen.

Depending on when you make your 2023 Queensland Derby futures bet, your horse may not end up getting a run in the race, but you also will not get your cash back. This situation occurs when the market is ‘All-In’ or closer to the date of the Queensland Derby. If you are looking to have a bet when it is ‘Before Noms’, then this is ideal as you know you’ll get your bet back into your account if your horse doesn’t run in this race.

The 2023 Queensland Derby odds are not yet available, please be sure to check back closer to race day, as this is when we will have the odds listed below.

A capacity field of 18 runners (with three emergencies) was announced to take part in the Queensland Derby for 2022, all chasing Group 1 glory, and the hefty chunk of prizemoney that it comes with! There ended up being no stratchings in the race, so the three emergencies didn’t gain an entry in to this race.

The pre-race favourite was Dark Destroyer, priced at $4.00. It was easy to see why this 3YO gelding was the favourite, after winning the best lead up race in his last start, the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, and prior to that Group 3 win, he had a second placing in the Group 2, Queensland Guineas, and was just 0.75L off the pace on that occasion.

Paternal was next in the line of betting, starting at a price of $6.00. Much like Dark Destroyer, Paternal came through the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate, and he finished just 0.2L behind him in 2022. This will be Paternal’s biggest challenge to date, as he is yet to contest a Group 1.

After Paternal, it was Pinarello, who was listed as a $8.00 chance before the race. Pinarello has a great season record so far, currently sitting at 6:3-1-1 before the Queensland Derby. This is his second try at Group 1 level, and in his first crack, he was unplaced. In his previous race, he won the Group 2 Championship Stakes (NZ).

With the 2023 Queensland Derby yet to be run and won, let’s have a look back at the 2022 Queensland Derby to see if there are any key performance indicators that can help us find the winner of this year’s Group 1 feature.

There was a mammoth field for the Queensland Derby in 2022, and that always brings out tricky conditions, as jockeys and horses are all vying for the best patch of turf. Pinarello jockey, Leith Innes, knew exactly what he was going to do after drawing a wide barrier (17). As soon as the gates kicked open and he had the space, he cut across the field to settle in close enough to the rail, and get some cover.

From there all the hard work was seemingly done, as he waited for the perfect time to make he move. Coming around the final bend three wide and no cover, Pinarello had the speed to make it work. He had put a couple of lengths between himself and the rest of the field by the 300m, and then had to fight off a great comeback from Paternal.

Paternal ran a great race but just needed 5-10 metres more to get the chocolates, and he ended up finishing just 0.2L behind Pinarello. Starting from barrier 2, Paternal was happy to settle back a little, and let the others in front tire themselves out. It was difficult for Paternal to find a clear path, but by the 300m mark, when Pinarello was making his move, that cleared the way for Paternal to make his move.

In third place was Caboche, who started from a great barrier (7). Caboche was a bit bumped around at the beginning of the race, but soon found a good spot. He was all the way back in 11th position at both the 800m and 400m mark, but he found the space, and thanks to a great ride by James McDonald, he was able to snatch third, finishing just 0.2L ahead of Dark Destroyer in fourth.

You’ve read the words, now watch the video! Have a squiz below at the 2022 Queensland Derby race:

Queensland Derby Winners

The results for the upcoming Queensland Derby are not yet available, but in the meantime, you can have a look below at all the recent past winners: