Dee sets sights on unpredictable Victoria Derby

Star jockey Michael Dee has declared the $2 million Victoria Derby wide open as he chases his second success in the 2500m Group 1 test aboard Kingofwallstreet.

Favourite El Castello is seeking to become the first horse since Ace High in 2017 to complete the Spring Champion Stakes-Victoria Derby double.

While Ace High had a month between runs, subsequent scheduling changes now mean El Castello must attempt the double on successive Saturdays.

The Anthony Cummings-trained colt will also jump from the widest barrier in a capacity 16-horse field in Saturday's feature at Flemington.

He faces competition from the likes of King Of Thunder, Red Aces and Goldrush Guru, as well as Dee's Matt Cumani-trained mount.

"It's very, very open, there's no doubt about that," said Dee, who won the Victoria Derby aboard Chris Waller-trained Manzoice in 2022.

"The favourite has drawn the car park and that horse needs a lot of luck. Outside of the favourite, anything can win really.

"The horse that gets the best run, the one that's most comfortable in running and the one that gets the trip on the day will be the winner, so we'll see."

Expat New Zealander Dee is "relaxed and confident" about his chances with Kingofwallstreet, who was a last-start winner in the Group 3 Norman Robinson Stakes at Caulfield.

"The horse I'm riding won last-start quite impressively and is a good, tough Derby type of horse, so I'm very happy," he said.

"For a colt, he's very relaxed and he's a real staying prospect of a horse.

"I've had a few rides now and have been lucky enough to win the one. You're always wanting to build on that and win again."

The Victoria Derby will have a different feel this year with champion trainer Waller not having a runner.

Waller has won the past two editions with Riff Rocket last year and Manzoice, after his first success in the race with Preferment in 2014.

The master trainer has had a winner on Derby Day almost every year since 2012 - with 2019 the only exception - and has leading fancies in Saturday's other two Group 1 contests.

They include favourite Atishu, to be ridden by star jockey James McDonald, in the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

Atishu was second to Pride Of Jenni in the same race last year before winning the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) seven days later.

"We're intending to do both races again," Waller said.

"Atishu is well enough to win. She looks fantastic, you can see her colour is nice and dark with a bit of shine to it.

"She's just perfect - if I could paint a picture, it's Atishu today.

"She loves Cup week and it's quite unique how horses find form at certain times of the year."

Switzerland, also under McDonald, will lead Waller's charge alongside Gatsby's (Damian Lane) in the $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), with Ciaron Maher's Growing Empire the favourite.

"They're both Sydney colts coming down with pretty good form, in particular Switzerland," Waller said.

"Both horses have been well-prepared with a jump out up the straight ... and they did everything we asked them to do.

"We've got good riders on both horses and they've drawn in the middle, which gives you options."

The nine-race card at Flemington on Saturday will be followed by the Melbourne Cup barrier draw.

Cup contender Onesmoothoperator will undergo a veterinary examination on Saturday morning before a decision is made as to whether he will be allowed to compete in Tuesday's race.

The Geelong Cup winner failed a vet check on Friday due to a cut on his heel, and blew in the betting from second-favourite to equal third favourite at around $9.

Caulfield Cup runner-up Buckaroo remains favourite at around $5 ahead of English raider Vauban at $6.50.