IT'S DERBY DAY!

Derby Day is here and we have three runners, starting with imported mare Speak in the second race.

Speak (pictured) is one of seven runners in the Group 3 Archer Stakes, better known to everyone as the Hotham Handicap, over 2500 metres and while it is a step up in class for the daughter of German Derby winner Sea The Moon, Mike Moroney is confident she will acquit herself well under Billy Egan.

“She’s trained on well since her good last start second in the Pinker Pinker,” Mike said. “She’s meeting some seasoned stayers today and it will not be easy but she deserves a chance in a race like this.

“Although it’s a small field I think the main thing for her is to let her settle into a rhythm. She can get a little bit keen sometimes so I’ll be asking Billy to let her relax and find her stride early on.

"If she can relax and switch off then it will be a great result if she run home into the placings."

Not An Option and Swords Drawn both run in the last race, the newly minted Damien Oliver over 1400 metres.

Not An Option has drawn wide much to his trainers chagrin.

“He’s trained up well and in good order, it just would have been great to have drawn better,” Mike said.

“The tempo of the race will dictate how we ride him but we will assess things during the day.

“It’s the right race for him, he’s well-weighted and in good form but if he can get some luck from out there then I do think he will run well.”

Winona Costin rides Swords Drawn who is starting a new campaign.

“He’s first-up and I’m very happy with him,” Mike said. “They will likely go too fast for him but it’s a good starting point for him and I will not be surprised to see him run a cheeky race at big odds as he is going really well at home.”