Almindoro firms for Victoria Derby

The Victoria Derby betting picture changed again after today’s MRC Norman Robinson S. 2000m G3 with the runner-up,

Redoute’s Choice colt Almindoro (ex Alalunga by Machiavellian), one of the firmers, and likely to appreciate the Derby distance.

Having only his fourth career start, and still a maiden, Almindoro stayed on strongly behind Retrieve, who quickly firmed to TAB favouritism for the Derby. Now paying $8 to win, Almindoro is second favourite for the 2500-metre classic at Flemington on 30 October.

Another Derby-hunting son of Redoute’s Choice, Shadowofexcellence (ex Tugela by Riverman, and so a half-brother to champion stayer Makybe Diva) reared up as the gates opened and took virtually no part in today’s contest. He’s currently paying $14 to win the Derby.

Almindoro was bred by Chris Rogers and sold to owner Mr K.E. Bartlett for $525,000 from the Bellerive Stud draft for $525,000 at the 2009 Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Champion sire Redoute’s Choice currently heads the Australian 3YO Sires’ list by individual winners with 17.