Barriers are out for the 2025 Victoria Derby and it could be a case of ‘how far’ Observer after he came up with the plum draw in gate four.
The 2500-metre start at Flemington is one of the trickiest in Australian racing – there’s only a short run before that sharp bottom bend, meaning barriers are all-important.
This year’s Derby, like so many in recent seasons, lacks genuine depth, so nailing the map is vital. You don’t want to be stuck behind a slow one when the pressure goes on turning for home.
There’s some potential early tempo drawn out wide, with Matsuda (19) one runner capable of really pressing on and injecting speed through the first 400 metres.
Here is the barrier draw:
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Observer | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 4 |
| 2 | Highvol | Nick Ryan | Jamie Mott | 15 |
| 3 | Autumn Mystery | Rory Hunter | Blake Shinn | 17 |
| 4 | Miewa | Nick Ryan | Jordan Childs | 8 |
| 5 | Options | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Harry Coffey | 7 |
| 6 | Providence | Chris Waller | – | 12 |
| 7 | Azazel (NZ) | Mark Walker | Michael Dee | 10 |
| 8 | Arcora | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | John Allen | 11 |
| 9 | O’sheamus | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 |
| 10 | Amazake | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 6 |
| 11 | Engine Of War (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tommy Berry | 9 |
| 12 | Matsuda | Ciaron Maher | Thomas Stockdale | 19 |
| 13 | One Step Closer | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | Jye McNeil | 2 |
| 14 | Savisanta (NZ) | Chris Waller | – | 3 |
| 15 | McWoody | Mark Walker | Ms Jamie Melham | 16 |
| 16 | Deal Done Fast | Matt Cumani | Daniel Stackhouse | 1 |
| 17e | Arabian Prince | Michael Kent | Craig Williams | 20 |
| 18e | Freddie Bassett | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ben Allen | 14 |
| 19e | Crack A Deel | Henry Dwyer | – | 13 |
| 20e | Super Paradise | Andrew Forsman | – | 18 |
Winners:
Observer (4) – He could simply be the winner. He led them up in the Vase last week when drawing out, but from a soft draw on Saturday, expect Mark Zahra to settle just behind the speed. If there’s any doubt on the colt at 2500m, then gate four only helps his chances of seeing it out.
The Vase | Observer
Observer, he’s relentless 😤 Mark Zahra eases him up with 50 metres to go for an arrogant victory.
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/cYp3z0VlDz— Racing.com (@Racing) October 25, 2025
O’sheamus (5) – Didn’t have much luck in the Vase last week, not that he would’ve got close to Observer if he did. But, gate five gives him every chance on Saturday. He can stalk Observer and if he’s good enough then there will be no excuses with the gate.
Options (7) – Lovely gate for him. He is a natural get-back horse, but from gate seven hopefully he can have a few horses behind him in the run.
Deal Done Fast (1) – I’d be looking to settle leader’s back from gate one on this bloke, potentially even looking to lead if nothing else wants to take it up. He got squeezed out at the start in the Caulfield Classic last time out, hence why he settled midfield. Strikes me as a real stayer who actually wants a genuine 2500m test, whereas a few rivals will be vulnerable if this is genuinely run. Gate one allows Stackhouse to be right on speed without working.
Caulfield Race 2 | Autumn Mystery
Autumn Mystery announces himself in Spring ⭐️
Never in doubt for @blake_shinn 👏
📺Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/how0c4bxBS— Racing.com (@Racing) October 18, 2025
Neutral
Providence (12) – Not the perfect gate but probably doesn’t hurt this bloke’s chances. He would drift back anyway and gate twelve ensuring clean air is much better than gate one which could see him bailed away on the fence.
Losers
Highvol (15) – He was good in the Geelong Classic when racing more forward (albeit flattered by the pattern). From the wide draw I imagine they will have to revert to his previous pattern of settling towards the tail and looking to round up his rivals. He could’ve made use of a better gate, but Blake Shinn faces a tough task from the alley.
Geelong Classic | Azazel
Too tough 💪 The 3YO gelding fights hard to notch his second career win for @mickdee020 & @TeAkauRacing 💪
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/MjHx3GZvkG— Racing.com (@Racing) October 23, 2025
Autumn Mystery (17) – This bloke is taking his Mornington trainer on quite the ride but I imagine he would’ve been a touch disappointed when he saw gate seventeen! He was able to settle handier to them in a moderately run Caulfield Classic (from gate two) last time out but from the wide draw he’s likely going to spot most of the field a start.
Matsuda (19) – Another horse who has some tactical speed but this will be a tough ride for Thomas Stockdale into the first turn. I imagine they will endeavour to be positive, but he might have to work hard to get up near the speed.
Arabian Prince (20) – This colt still needs to get into the field (currently first emergency), but if he does the draw won’t help. He has settled at the tail in most of his starts and from a wide draw he will have to do so again on Saturday, likely needing to pass every runner – which won’t be easy.
