Will Blue Riband trend continue?

GIVEN her strength of numbers, there is a fair chance Emma Stewart will win Saturday night's Victoria Derby in Melton.

If that is the case, be sure to back one of Stewart's Oaks runners later in the evening as the record-breaking trainer has developed a particular habit in relation to the Blue Ribands.

Each time Stewart has won Australia's oldest classic - Derby - she has also captured the Oaks in the same year.

She has, however, won the Oaks twice without success in the Derby!

The unusual coincidence began in 2017 when Our Little General secured the Derby and Miss Graceland captured the Oaks.

Four years later, Act Now and Ladies In Red claimed the Group Ones before Petracca and Sweet Bella repeated the dose last season.

"I didn't realise that was the case," Stewart said. "Winning either of those races is a big thrill, but to collect them both is something special and we've been fortunate to enjoy that a few times.

"With a bit of luck we will get the double again on the weekend, but we won't be holding our breath expecting it to happen."

Completing the trifecta in both heats last weekend, Stewart will be represented by seven of the 12 runners in the Derby, with Best Deal the $2.10 TAB Fixed Odds favourite from barrier two.

Best Deal's stablemate, Bay Of Biscay, is regarded the main threat at $5 from gate 11.

"Only a couple of metres separated the first three in the first heat and it was a half-neck between Best Deal and Bay Of Biscay in the second heat, which shows there isn't much between them," Stewart said.

"A few have drawn well on the front and some not so well on the back line, which could make all the difference on the night."

Although she has six fillies in the Oaks, Stewart's hand isn't as strong, with Showsomejoy considered the stable's best chance at $5 from barrier eight.

New Zealand raider Coastal Babe is a $1.50 hot shot from gate two, with Queenslander, Aardie B Miki, the second elect at $4 from three.

"The fillies have their work cut out for them, but they're still in it," Stewart said.