Derby Day 2026 Tips and Victoria Derby Race Guide

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Derby Day 2026 Tips and Victoria Derby Race Guide

Derby Day 2026 is Saturday 31 October 2026 at Flemington, the opening day of the four-day Melbourne Cup Carnival. The feature race is the Victoria Derby, a 2500 metre Group 1 for three-year-olds, on a card that carries three Group 1 races. This page carries the Derby details, the day’s Group 1 program, and Dean McHugh’s tips for the card.

Result: Stormy Marco won the Victoria Derby on Saturday 31 October 2026, ridden by James McDonald for trainer Chris Waller, from Cold Shower and Quick Finish.

Part of the 2026 Spring Racing Carnival. The Melbourne Cup final field is announced after racing on Derby Day, and the Cup itself is run the following Tuesday.

Race details: Victoria Derby

When is Derby Day 2026?

Saturday 31 October 2026. Derby Day is always the Saturday before the Melbourne Cup and opens Cup week at Flemington. Oaks Day follows on the Thursday and Champions Stakes Day on the Saturday after.

What races are on Derby Day?

Derby Day carries three Group 1 races, headed by the Victoria Derby. The full 2026 card, with distances and prizemoney, is added here when the VRC publishes the race-day program.

How is the Victoria Derby different from the Melbourne Cup?

The Derby is for three-year-olds only, run at set weights, so it is a test of the best young stayers in the country rather than a handicap of older horses. Derby winners often go on to the Cups the following year. The 2500 metre trip is the longest most of the field will have attempted.

Victoria Derby 2026: the first three

Stormy Marco (James McDonald, trained by Chris Waller) won from Cold Shower and Quick Finish, the first filly to run in the Derby since 1990. The 2027 field and barrier draw will be published here in race week next October.

Derby Day tips

Dean McHugh’s tips for the 2027 Victoria Derby will be published here in race week next October.

Until then, read Dean’s Saturday previews through the carnival on our racing tips page.

Past Victoria Derby winners

Betting on Derby Day

Derby Day is one of the biggest betting days of the year, with several Group 1 races on one card. Our guide to Australian betting apps covers multis, live vision and how quickly each bookmaker pays out. Set a deposit limit before the day starts. If gambling is a problem for you or someone you know, call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 or visit betstop.gov.au.