Victoria Derby: Riff Rocket wins coveted Group 1 after photo finish over 2500m at Flemington

Riff Rocket won the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday in exciting scenes.

With champion jockey James McDonald on board, the pre-race favorite was the choice of many punters ahead of the race, and he delivered after a photo finish.

Apulia was desperately unlucky to finish second after a jump in the final step, while Sunsets came third.

The win was master trainer Chris Waller’s third Victoria Derby, with McDonald securing another Group 1 finish.

The Kiwi Hoop also won the Cox Plate aboard Romantic Warrior and the Group 2 Mooney Valley Cup to ensure its dominance at the Spring Carnival.

GWS star Toby Greene was spotted enjoying himself in Flemington – but only after promising his pregnant wife Georgia Stirton he’d be ‘home by midnight’

AFL cult hero Bailey Smith was impossible to miss in his sharp gray suit (pictured)

This glamorous racegoer turned heads with her hat along the track at Flemington

Punters made their way through the gates ahead of the first race on Saturday at 12.20pm

The feature race at 4.20pm saw Flemington packed with punters enjoying one of the best days on the Australian racing calendar

Eager punters made their way through the gates ahead of the first race at 12.20pm, where Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained and Kaizad won in a boilerover.

Crowds continued to pour into the iconic sporting venue leading into the main 2500m race at 4.20pm, with AFL stars including Toby Greene and Bailey Smith hanging their heads with other VIP guests.

Brooke Warne, daughter of the late spin king Shane Warne, was also seen trackside, as was former reality TV star and author Pettifleur Berenger.

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