CAN anyone stop Australia - that is the question on everyone's lips at Epsom today (Saturday) as the Investec Derby takes place.
Seen as the world's best flat race, the showpiece of the Investec Derby Festival goes off at 4pm, with Australia going off as the undoubted favourite, after his third place finish at the 2,000 Guineas.
Seen by bookmakers as the one to beat, Australia is priced as short as 13-8 and there is a potential story as jockey Joseph O'Brien will look to make history for his father Aidan, who is bidding to become the first trainer to win it three years running.
Aidan O'Brien has said that Australia is the best horse he has ever trained.
In a field of 16, he is the standout favourite at 13-8 with the bookmakers, who only have stable mate Geoffrey Chaucer and Kingston Hill at odds shorter than 10-1.
Unlike at the Grand National, outsiders winning the Derby are something of a rarity, which makes it hard to look past Australia.
Arod and Orchestra are decent bets at 14-1, while Fascinating Rock, True Story (both 10-1) and Ebanoran (12-1) represent good value if they can spring a surprise.
Elsewhere in the field, Romsdal and Western Hymn are priced at 18-1, but bar those, only Pinzolo comes in under 50-1, with five horses 66-1 or above with the bookmakers.
As such, it looks like it could well be Australia's day at Epsom.
