Quick Finish takes on the colts as Derby Day Group 1 fields are finalised

Quick Finish will be the first filly to run in the Victoria Derby since Lycra in 1990, with the Yulong-owned daughter of Grunt among a capacity field of 16, plus two emergencies, for Saturday’s $3 million Group 1 at Flemington.

Trained by Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Quick Finish has won her past three starts, most recently the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes at Caulfield , and has drawn barrier 11 with Jye McNeil to ride at 55kg. No filly has won the Derby since Frances Tressady in 1923.

Ciaron Maher, who won the race with Hitotsu and Observer, saddles Vallice (Mark Zahra, barrier 14), Skua and Murshidi, while Chris Waller runs Stormy Marco and True Tone. Vase winner True Rebel has drawn 17 and Caulfield Classic winner King Snitz barrier six. The Derby purse was lifted from $2 million while its Group 1 status is under review.

Zahra, cleared on Tuesday after his Caulfield Cup fall, also rides Maher’s The Next Episode, the $2.8 million Magic Millions purchase, who has drawn the outside gate of 14 in the $2 million Coolmore Stud Stakes. James McDonald rides Waller’s St Gotthard from barrier six.

Toorak Handicap winner Lady Shenandoah, also with McDonald aboard from barrier eight, heads 11 acceptors for the $1 million Empire Rose Stakes, where Kia Ora Stud Mile winner Surfin’ Bird (barrier nine) and Zahra’s mount Idle Flyer (seven) also line up.

The track was rated a Good 4 on Wednesday.