WATC Derby
The WATC Derby is a Group 2 classic event for three-year-olds held each April at Ascot racecourse in Perth, Western Australia during the autumn racing carnival. The race is run over the traditonal derby distance of 2400 metres and offers $400,000 in prize money. The 2020 WATC Derby was won by Tuscan Queen from Tuscan Queen with Criminal Code third.
In 2011 the Australian Pattern Comittee downgraded the WATC Derby to Group 2 level and prize money was reduced from $500,000 to $400,000.
WATC Derby info
| Date: | Saturday 10th April 2021 |
| Track: | Ascot racecourse, Perth |
| Distance: | 2400 metres |
| Race Type: | 3yo - Set Weights |
| Status: | Group 2 |
| Prize Money: | $400,000 |
| 2020 Winner: | Tuscan Queen |
The WATC Derby is the premier staying event for three-year-olds held in Western Australia each year. It typically gathers together the best local 3yo talent and any interested three-year-olds from other states around the country.
Taking place during the Perth autumn carnival at Ascot, the WATC Derby winner is more often than not just a handy galloper, rather than a topliner, as most of the best three-year-olds will be in Sydney during the autumn for the prestigious ATC Australian Derby and ATC Australian Oaks.
Typically, the winner of the WATC Derby will just be an above average local type or a more than handy interstate raider who may go on to be competitive in better quality races without rising to any great heights.
Any capable fillies who contested the Gr2 WA Oaks the previous month may consider taking on the boys in the WA Derby and both Delicacy (2015) and Dreamaway (2011) are the most recent fillies to claim the WA Oaks & WATC Derby double. Arcadia Dream (2016) finished runner-up in the WA Oaks before winning this race.
Interesingly enough, the WATC Derby has provided a couple of recent Gr2 Perth Cup winners with Guyno (2007) and Cats Fun (2006) both going on to win the Perth Cup after winning the Derby as a three-year-old. Guyno won the Perth Cup in 2009 and Cats Fun was successful in 2008, while Guest Wing (8th in 2010) finished unplaced in this race before going on to win the 2011 Perth Cup.
Regal Power (2019) took out the Listed Melvista Stakes over 2200m at Ascot before taking out this event in classy style for the Grant & Alana Williams stable.
Recent WATC Derby winners include Action (2018) and Gatting (2017).
2020 WATC Derby result
1. $1.40 Tuscan Queen 55.5 William Pike
2. $11.00 Red Hot Tip 57.5 Ryan Hill
3. $21.00 Criminal Code 57.5 Joseph Azzopardi
then followed
4. $15.00 Cambist 55.5 Ms Kyra Yuill
5. $51.00 Pambella 55.5 Steven Parnham
6. $101.00 Samantha's Twitch 55.5 Jarrad Noske
7. $9.50 Naughty By Nature 55.5 Clint Johnston-Porter
8. $31.00 Miss Dominican 55.5 Brad Parnham
9. $16.00 Midnight Blue 57.5 Peter Hall
10. $101.00 Showaddywaddy 55.5 Chris Parnham
Margins: 4.76 len, 0.83 len
Time: 2:32.24
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WATC Derby winners & placegetters
| Year | Winner | 2nd | 3rd | Time |
| 2020 | Tuscan Queen | Tuscan Queen | Criminal Code | 2:32.2 |
| 2019 | Regal Power | Cockney Crew | Ping Me Another | 2:30.6 |
| 2018 | Action | Like A Butterfly | Media Baron | 2:29.9 |
| 2017 | Gatting | Very Tempting | Chill The Champers | 2:30.3 |
| 2016 | Arcadia Dream | Who Dat Singa | Culverin | 2:31.3 |
| 2015 | Delicacy | Keysbrook | Boom Time | 2:38.2 |
| 2014 | Respondent | Ihtsahymn | Real Love | 2:29.5 |
| 2013 | Mystic Prince | Moreish | Desert Glow | 2:31.4 |
| 2012 | Rohan | Flashy Fella | The Social Network | 2:34.5 |
| 2011 | Dreamaway | Playing God | Rio Dane | 2:30.7 |
| 2010 | Chartreux | Bridgestone | Brother Mak | 2:27.9 |
| 2009 | Marcus Maximus | Berlioz | Phenomenons | 2:31.2 |
| 2008 | Grand Journey | Yuro | Star Encounter | 2:28.8 |
| 2007 | Guyno | Ballack | Original Lovalover | 2:29.0 |
| 2006 | Catsfun | Raise A Call | Scenic Shot | 2:29.7 |
| 2005 | Plastered | Royal Drive | Master Minx | 2:31.3 |
| 2004 | Mr Sandgroper | Fatal Attraction | Crown Prosecutor | 2:36.2 |
| 2003 | Shirazamatazz | Conspirator | Golden Prospect | 2:32.8 |
| 2002 | Honor Lap | Lord Mason | Storm Fille | 2:31.5 |
| 2001 | Not Held | |||
| 2000 | Old Money | Tingling | Grand Turismo | 2:30.4 |
| 1999 | Voile D'Or | Latest Ploy | From The Hip | 2:29.7 |
| 1998 | Kim Angel | Old Nick | Matriculate | 2:31.0 |
| 1997 | Hot Jules | Mystic Chantry | Pennyweight Point | 2:31.3 |
| 1996 | Capricious Lass | Strike Swiftly | Stylish Mahal | 2:31.2 |
| 1995 | Crying Game | Unpretentious | Achtung Baby | 2:29.9 |
| 1994 | Beaux Art | King Of Saxony | Cloudy Bay | 2:31.9 |
| 1993 | Beaujolais Boy | Anniversary Model | Dr Gold | 2:32.5 |
| 1993 | Firing Range | Native Pilgrim | Vagabond Boy | 2:27.8 |
| 1992 | Heroicity | Lincoln's Court | Marooned By Flood | 2:30.7 |
| 1991 | Mirror Magic | Storm Trooper | Higginsville | 2:28.2 |
| 1990 | Chipolata | Royal Flush | Kama Dancer | 2:28.9 |
| 1989 | Belele | Port Princess | Bar Landy | 2:29.2 |
| 1988 | The Bukhra | Madam Peppermint | She's Got Style | 2:31.8 |
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