The Australian Derby has long been seen as a key pointer to the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate the following spring. Unlike the VRC Derby run in November, which many suggest comes too early in their careers, the colts that contest this race are more mature, and have had more time to establish their class and credentials.

Explosive Jack won the Derby in 2021 and took out the Sydney Cup in 2023. Mongolian Khan won both the Derby and Caulfield Cup in 2015. Starcraft and Criterion both went on to prove themselves on the world stage after winning the Derby in 2004 and 2014 respectively.

The Rosehill Guineas, run two weeks earlier at Rosehill over 2000m, is always the key lead-up race given many colts take their place in both. Criterion and It’s a Dundeel both did the double, in 2014 and 2015.