Tim's Tips for Derby Day

TIM HABEL was a racing journalist with the Sun, then Herald-Sun for 36 years and now works as a contributor for The Age. His selections are published mid-week and each Saturday.

FLEMINGTON SATURDAY NOVEMBER 1, 2025, rail true, track good 4

RACE 1: PANOVA 1, Regal Award 2, Call Da Vinci 3, Vinrock 4 

RACE 2:  SHEZA ALIBI 1, Live 2, Teine Aulelei 3, Stardom 4

RACE 3:  GEEGEES MISTRUTH 1, Caballus 2, Hedged 3, Star Patrol 4

RACE 4:  GOTTA GOOD FEELING 1, Freedom Flame 2, Prestige Snitzel 3,  Ethereum Girl 4

RACE 5:  KING ZEPHYR 1, Zou Sensation 2, Ndola 3, Steparty 4

RACE 6: TENTYRIS 1, Beiwacht 2, Beadman 3, My Gladiola 4

Two gun Godolphin owned colts to fight out the Coolmore. Beiwacht ran sizzling time leading all the way to win the 1400m Golden Rose, first time down the straight whereas Tentyris will do the stalking and is proven at straight racing.

RACE 7:  OBSERVER 1, Options 2, Providence 3, O'Sheamus 4

Observer is  the class runner. Unlucky not to finish closer when third in the Caulfield Guineas then throttled down over the last 100m to win the Vase last Saturday. Like them all is untried at 2500m but has the bloodlines, racing manners and trainer to do so.

RACE 8: LEICA LUCY 1, Fangirl 2, Pride Of Jenni 3, Idle Flyer 4

Significant gear change with near side blinker applied to Leica Lucy who was inclined to hang down the straight when a fast finishing third in the Toorak. Will relish the promised solid pace set by Pride Of Jenni who is proving harder to follow in the twilight of her career while fellow $10m stakes earner Fangirl and in-form Sydney mare Idle Flyer are also to be respected.

RACE 9: STRETAN ANGEL 1, She's Bulletproof 2, Arabian Summer 3, Soft Love 4

Wide closer. Stretan Angel snapped a winning drought with a fast finishing win at Caulfield. She's Newmarket and Lightning Stakes placed so excels down the straight and now she's back in form can score again. She's Bulletproof, Arabian Summer , Soft Love and Generosity among other chances.

BEST BETS: Observer, King Zephyr. VALUE: Geegees Mistruth

THE $20 FLEXI QUADDIE

1st leg: 1, 3

2nd leg:  1

3rd leg: 1, 2, 6, 10

4th leg: 2, 3, 5, 6, 13

For a $20 outlay you would receive 50 per cent of a $1 dividend.