OVERVIEW: Great edition of the Victoria Derby where the early speed battle will likely prove telling, with three of the big guns in the market drawn on the front row. They’re favourite PALLADIUM (4), fellow NSW pacer NYMBAL (3) and BROOKLYN DAN (1). All three clashed in the Queensland Derby back in July, with NYMBAL (3) able to cross BROOKLYN DAN (1) at the start from similar gates before PALLADIUM (4) sat parked to score in a close finish. Since then, the winner’s trainer-driver Brad Hewitt has declared this in an interview with Adam Hamilton: “As good as he was that night, I’m sure he’s a lot better now. He had a really rushed and interrupted preparation for Queensland, but since the break he had after it, he’s come back a different horse”. If NYMBAL (3) crosses early, I sense he will hand to PALLADIUM (4) like he did in the heat last weekend, and from there the latter would be the one to beat. NYMBAL (3) beat PALLADIUM (4) in a recent clash at Menangle despite having no luck and could have claimed that Queensland Derby with clearer air late, ENJOY LIFE (9) has only ever been beaten once and was a very impressive winner coming off speed in his Derby heat last Saturday, while BROOKLYN DAN (1) also won a qualifier last weekend and has obvious claims from the good gate. Others in contention are Mick Stanley pair SOHO TRUMP (11) and SOHO CHARMER (12), MOUNT BARKER BOY (13) and LE CARDINAL (2).