Having a starter in the Group 1 Victoria Derby was not on the radar for Julius Sandhu but, much to his surprise, he will have one on Saturday at Flemington, Oxford Blue.

“I always thought the Victoria Derby over 2,500 meters was a little too early for three-year-olds because they’re held in the spring and a lot of them have only just turned three. It’s great demand,” Sandhu said.

“I would say a few years ago my chances of getting a Victoria Derby runner were about 1 per cent.”

Despite his reservations about the distance, Sandhu began preparation for Oxford Blue with the Victoria Derby as his target and he will be in action on Saturday.

“He’s the horse that just chose himself to be a Derby horse. He went for it and that’s the reason he’s in the Derby,” Sandhu said.

“He took everything in his stride without being pushed.”

Oxford Blue made three starts for a first third place over 1500m at Sandown, a first victory over 1740m at Sale then a third in the Geelong Classic (2200m).

“It was always about the well-being and well-being of the horse. He did everything I asked him to do. He kept coming back and asking for more and more,” he said.

By Fiorente, Oxford Blue is ridden by Sharon Cummings, whose husband Rob also rides recent Group 1 winner Mornington Glory.

“Rob and Sharon have invested so much into the game. I know how passionate they are about their horses and if Oxford Blue could win a Derby it would be a huge endorsement of the horse and Rob and what he does with his horses,” says Sandhu.

“Rob was kind enough to give me a few horses and it would be great to reward them with a Derby win. For him, the only thing that matters is the horse.”

Sandhu said Oxford Blue was still learning and would have benefited greatly from his final third start at Geelong.

“He would have learned a lot from this race. He didn’t manage the race in the corner and with 300 meters to go you would have thought he was going to finish fifth or sixth, but he came back to finish third,” he said.

“The further he’s gone, the better he’s gone. He’ll be better suited to the bigger track at Flemington. The upside for him is huge.”

Oxford Blue has a $27 chance with Sportsbet and will be ridden by Ethan Brown.