Victoria Derby Day has long been regarded as Australia's finest racing day, but changes in the famous Flemington four-day carnival have put that under threat.The 2500m Derby for three-year-olds still holds centre stage, while the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and Myer Classic are fantastic supports as they respectfully showcase the best three-year-old sprinters and the best 1600m mares in the land.But in a move to boost the status of the Mackinnon Stakes, the 2000m Group 1 weight for age race, the Victoria Racing Club has moved that race to the final Saturday, as a $2 million Spring Grand Final for weight-for-age horses over 2000m.The compensation for the first day is that the old Emirates Stakes, a 1600m handicap, moves to Derby Day and is now known as the Cantala Stakes.Fears that race would get lost on Derby Day have proven unfounded for this year at least, and that race looms as the most competitive Group 1 of the day.According to website AustralianGambling, The United States is the $5.50 race favorite having returned to the track with a win last week at Moonee Valley. He ran in the Melbourne Cup last year but will go around as top pick in a handicap over half the distance this year.In-form He's Our Rokkii ($6.50) is set to start as the second favorite ahead of Palentino ($7.00), who hasn't been seen since being unplaced in the Epsom. Emerging gallopers Seaburge and Mackintosh are also given good chances to figure.The showcase race of the day is set to feature the day's shortest-priced Group 1 favorite, with Sacred Elixir a $3.10 favorite in what doesn't look a strong Derby field.Two of the horses Sacred Elixir beat in last week's Vase at Mononee Valley, So Si Bon ($9) and Morvada ($16), are considered two of his main rivals again along with Sydney colt Swear ($10).First Seal is a $4 favorite for the Myer Classic after her recent win at Caulfield, but Don't Doubt Mamma ($6.50) could challenge her for that honor come raceday.The Coolmore has the smallest field of the Group 1 races but arguably offers the most intrigue with several formlines converging. Extreme Choice starts a deserved $3.30 favorite off his win in the Moir Stakes against the older gallopers but takes on Golden Rose winner Astern, who is second pick at $3.60 along with Star Turn, who is $4.40 after his impressive win in the Schillaci Stakes.The weather is expected to be a perfect 24 degrees for the first day of the Flemington carnival.
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