Australia leads Derby big guns

Australia is one of 17 horses in contention for Saturday’s Investec Derby following the confirmation stage.

A son of 2001 Derby hero Galileo out of 2004 Oaks heroine Ouijia Board, Australia is the red-hot favourite to follow in the hoofprints of his parents following his excellent effort to finish third in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the exciting three-year-old, has saddled four previous Derby winners in Galileo, High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012) and last year’s victor Ruler Of The World.