2022 Queensland Derby Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

Free Horse Racing Tips
Fri 27th May 2022

The Queensland Derby is a 2400m Group 1 contest held at Eagle Farm Racecourse for 3YO’s, under set weight conditions. The $1m feature is a race rich in history and has a long, star-studded honour roll dating all the way back to 1868. Some absolute champions of the turf have been victorious, from Tulloch in 1957 to Kingston Town in 1980. Last year’s race was taken out by Kukeracha who lines up in this year’s Doomben Cup.

Looking at the market for this year’s Derby, Dabble has last start Rough Habit winner, Dark Destroyer, favourite at $4.00 ahead of runner up, Paternal, at $6.00. Kiwi gelding, Pinarello, is well respected in the market at $8.00, as is Caboche who is currently a $9.00 chance.

With a capacity field to greet the starter and a number of chances on paper, this year’s Derby looks a tough race. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you and provided our best horse racing tips! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 Queensland Derby along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Tutukaka (11) – $18
Jockey – James Orman 57kg
Trainer – Tony Pike

Got a long way back and made steady ground in the G3 Rough Habit last start here at Eagle Farm. The added journey will be no problem and on his best form is capable of winning this.

2. Dark Destroyer (1) – $4.00F
Jockey – Sam Weatherley 57kg
Trainer – Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott

Ran on well to finish 2nd in the G2 Queensland Guineas behind Character, before a solid win last start in the G3 Rough Habit. Steps up to 2400m for the first time which is some query but has the form on the board.


3. Caboche (9) – $9.00
Jockey – James McDonald 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Looked home and hosed last start at Scone in BM78 grade before being beaten on the wire. Bit of a step up here but he is a winner at this track and the same connections won this race last year with Kukeracha. Has claims.

4. Menazzi (17) – $15
Jockey – Nash Rawiller 57kg
Trainer – Stuart Kendrick

Made steady ground in the G2 Queensland Guineas, before pushing forward and fighting on gamely last start in the G3 Rough Habit. Not sure she’s a genuine stayer and the wide gate won’t make the mile and a quarter any easier.

5. Pinarello (20) – $8.00
Jockey – Leither Innes 57kg
Trainer – Roger James & Robert Wellwood

Finished 5th in a very strong NZ Derby (G1) before bolting at Pukekohe last start at G2 level. Brings some strong formlines across the Tasman and Leith Innes sticks with him. Will need some luck from the gate but has to be respected.

6. Red Wave (13) – $61
Jockey – Kyle Wilson-Taylor 57kg
Trainer – Tony & Maddysen Sears

Rolled forward and weakened late in the G2 Queensland Guineas, before going down at Toowoomba last start as an odds on favourite. Not sure he will stay the trip and it’s hard to have him on his last effort.

7. Southern Stock (19) – $17
Jockey – Larry Cassidy 57kg
Trainer – Chris Munce

Ran on well from the back of the field in the G2 Queensland Guineas, and was solid through the line again last start in the G3 Rough Habit, suggesting the step up to 2400m will be ideal. The gate is no help but he gets the shades on for the first time here, and looks one of the better local hopes.


8. Balmaurice (16) – $91
Jockey – Brad Stewart 57kg
Trainer – Rex Lipp & Nicholas Hahn

Got back and made some minor headway in the G3 Rough Habit last start. Hasn’t won for a long time but will appreciate the firmer footing here. Chance of claiming some minor prize money.

9. Sea Treasures (14) – $20
Jockey – Rachel King 57kg
Trainer – Bjorn Baker

Whacked away ok last start in BM72 grade at Rosehill. Ran a big race in the G1 ATC Derby this prep behind Hitotsu. Stays all day but probably would’ve preferred a wet track for him.

10. Ting Tong (18) – $15
Jockey – Andrew Mallyon 57kg
Trainer – Kris Lees

Comes out of the same race as Sea Treasures last start, where he got to the line nicely to finish 2nd. The step up in trip looks a bonus but this is harder, and not convinced that is the right form line.

11. Satirical Glory (12) – $41
Jockey – Jim Byrne 57kg
Trainer – John Sargent 

Got the chocolates in a C1 here at Eagle Farm before leading them up and finishing down the track in the G3 Rough Habit. Should appreciate the dryer surface and with a colder ride can improve at big odds.

12. Paternal (3) – $6.00
Jockey – Hugh Bowman 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Ran on strongly in the G3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick and followed that up with a strong 2nd in the G3 Rough Habit last start. Gets a lot in his favour here and looks one of the main hopes.


13. Dark Rebel (21) – $91
Jockey – Joshua Parr 57kg
Trainer – Edward Cummings

Was just fair last start in the G3 Rough Habit here at Eagle Farm. Hard to make a case for him but does get the winkers on which may spark some improvement.

14. Global Ausbred (5) – $15
Jockey – Kerrin McEvoy 57kg
Trainer – Brad Widdup

Led them up and bolted in last start at Newcastle in BM64 grade. Big step up here but looks a talented colt with a big loping stride. Will roll forward from the good gate and should give backers a good sight.

15. Impel Gazelle (15) – $51
Jockey – Ben Thompson 57kg
Trainer – Michael Costa

Strung three wins together at the provincials before running a bold race last start in the G3 Rough Habit. Has to find yet again if he’s to win this, but is racing well enough to have a throw at the stumps.

16. Anythink Goes (4) – $31
Jockey – Ryan Maloney 57kg
Trainer – Matthew Smith 

Put a space on his rivals at Gosford in a C1 before chasing hard behind Global Ausbred last start in a Newcastle BM64. Should get a nice run from the gate and is capable of sneaking a place.

17. Nest Egg (6) – $41
Jockey – Samantha Collett 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller

Wasn’t disgraced last start at Gosford in BM78 grade. Finished midfield in the G1 NZ Derby and looks as though the 2400m is going to be ideal. Drawn well and wouldn’t be surprised to see him figure in the finish.

18. Villaden (7) – $21
Jockey – Brenton Avdulla 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller 

Wasn’t far away in a 3YO handicap at Caulfield two back, before running on nicely at Flemington last start in the same company. Form out of the Caulfield run is strong and the added journey looks ideal. Must be respected.


19e. Turn Me Over (10) – $71
Jockey – Jamie Kah 57kg
Trainer – Chris Waller 

Disappointed backers last start on the Sunshine Coast synthetic after a BM60 win at the Gold Coast. Looks very one paced and would need to improve to be winning this.

20e. Velvet Lady (2) – $81
Jockey – Tim Clark 55kg
Trainer – Kris Lees 

Did nothing in the G1 ATC Oaks before being sent north and finishing 3rd in a Sunshine Coast synthetic C3. Gets the tongue tie on here and has ability, but hard to have on her last couple.

21e. Kipling’s Journey (8) – $126
Jockey – Mark Du Plessis 57kg
Trainer – Peter & Will Hulbert 

Ran ok in the G2 Queensland Guineas before being run down in a 3YO handicap at the Sunshine Coast (synthetic). Trip looks a big query and his form is nothing to be desired.

Final Word

A full field of 18 starters (plus 3 emergencies) will be out to claim glory in this year’s G1 Queensland Derby. The majority of runners are coming out of the G3 Rough Habit, where Dark Destroyer and Paternal spaced their rivals.


With that said, I’ve come up with Paternal on top. He charged through the line on that occasion suggesting the 2400m will be ideal here. He’s drawn well with Bowman aboard, and no doubt will be turned out in fine fettle by the Waller stable.

His stable companions Villaden and Caboche also look well suited in this, after encouraging runs last start. Villaden is coming through some strong Melbourne 3YO races, whilst Caboche heads here after placing in BM78 grade at Scone last start. They both should appreciate the rise in trip and are drawn well.

Race favourite Dark Destroyer has to be respected following his win in the G3 Rough Habit and will take a stack of beating again, and fellow Kiwis, Tutukaka, and Pinarello, are more than capable of taking home the winners trophy. Tavistock gelding, Southern Stock, looks the best local hope off the back of his last couple of runs.

Queensland Derby TipLogo

12. Paternal – Each Way ($6.00/$2.25)

Get our horse racing tips delivered straight to you!

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our Queensland Derby page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.

Tom has had a passion for the racing industry from the time he could talk. Wether it was at school, on smoko or in his own spare time, he always had his head in the form guide.He has worked hands on in the industry for years for some of Australia’s most highly regarded trainers. As a track rider, he has put the polish on some of the best horse flesh to grace the turf in recent years including the grey flash, Chautauqua, Golden slipper winner, Mossfun and sprinter-turned-sire, Deep Field to name a few.Tom has recently hung up the boots to focus solely on his punting and tipping services. With the objective of finding plenty of winners and value in the marketplace, you’ll be sure to have a fat wallet following his feature race previews.