Shima Stan shines in 2025 Western Districts Derby Heats
The Listed Western Districts Derby at Ballarat has delivered a thrilling line-up for the 2025 final, headlined by Shima Stan, the fastest qualifier with a stunning 25.09-second run in Heat 2.
Trained by Thomas Dailly, Shima Stan’s performance underlined his immense potential despite only seven races to his name.
With a favourable draw in box one, the $3.60 third favourite with the top online bookmakers is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the final.
Giacomo, trained by Jeffrey Britton, also impressed in Heat 1 with a sharp 25.13-second victory.
As the $3.40 second favourite, Giacomo’s draw in box two sets up a potential battle for early supremacy with Shima Stan.
Heat 3 saw Springer’s Boy defy expectations with a gritty 25.44-second win from box eight.
As the $31 betting site outsider, the Nick Lecchino-trained chaser faces a tough task but carries momentum into the final.
The $3.00 favourite, Zeus Thunderbolt, overcame interference in Heat 2 to finish third and remains a major contender.
Drawn in box seven, Zeus Thunderbolt will need to navigate from the outside to capitalise on his exceptional speed.
Other contenders include Short Straw Trev, Paw Kramer, and Paw Gordy, all capable of producing strong runs under the right conditions.
Keep reading for our heat reviews and the Western Disctricts Derby Box Draw below:
Ballarat Western Districts Derby Heat 1 – Giacomo (25.13)
Heat 1 of the Listed Western Districts Derby at Ballarat showcased a commanding performance from Giacomo, as the Jeffrey Britton-trained chaser delivered a powerful front-running display to secure his place in the final.
Jumping swiftly from box two, the $2.80 BlondeBet favourite asserted his dominance early, fending off challenges from Paul Kramer and One Attitude to take control of the race. Despite a betting drift, Giacomo proved untouchable, stopping the clock at a slick 25.13 seconds—one of the standout times of the series.
Paul Kramer finished 2.25 lengths behind in second, with Darcy Dakota rounding out the placings.
Ballarat Western Districts Derby Heat 2 – Shima Stan (25.09)
Shima Stan stamped his authority in Heat 2 of the Listed Western Districts Derby at Ballarat, producing the fastest time across all three heats. The Thomas Dailly-trained sprinter clocked a brilliant 25.09 seconds over the 450m journey, cementing his position as a leading contender for next week’s final.
Jumping smartly from box five, Shima Stan navigated the early congestion with precision, pulling clear in the home straight to secure a 2.5-length victory over Short Straw Trev. Zeus Thunderbolt, the $2.20 Picklebet favourite, recovered from early interference to finish third.
The son of Feral Franky and Shima Pearl now boasts four wins from seven starts and has proven his ability to rise to the occasion in high-stakes events. With his fastest of the night performance, Shima Stan heads into the final as a serious threat to take out the coveted Derby title.
Ballarat Western Districts Derby Heat 3 – Springers Boy (25.41)
Springer’s Boy defied the odds to secure a surprise victory in Heat 3 of the Listed Western Districts Derby at Ballarat, clocking a solid 25.44 seconds. The Nick Lecchino-trained sprinter overcame a challenging field, demonstrating his grit and determination as he stormed to the finish line.
Jumping smartly from box eight, Springer’s Boy capitalised on early interference that disrupted several key rivals, including the race favourite Epitomise, who failed to complete the course. Leading throughout, the son of Koblenz and Miss Molly Lee held off a late charge from Paw Gordy, with Paw Rival rounding out the top three.
At $14 odds, the victory marks Springer’s Boy’s fifth career win from just ten starts, highlighting his potential to surprise in high-stakes events. This performance sees him advance to next week’s final with momentum and the chance to secure a prestigious title.
2025 Western Districts Derby Final Betting Odds & Box Draw
Please see the box draw and betting odds for the Listed Western Districts Derby final below:
2025 Western Districts Derby Final Box Draw & Field Ballarat 450m Listed $15,000 to-the-winner Wednesday, January 29, 2025
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1 Shima Stan
T: Thomas DaillyF: 56111Career: 7: 4-0-0Prizemoney: $14,480
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2 Giacomo
T: Jeffrey BrittonF: 31711Career: 20: 9-5-2Prizemoney: $46,120
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3 Springers Boy
T: Nick LecchinoF: 11331Career: 10: 5-1-3Prizemoney: $9,120
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4 Short Straw Trev
T: Donald RhodesF: 31122Career: 12: 5-4-1Prizemoney: $20,045
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5 Paw Kramer
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6 Paw Gordy
T: Corey GrenfellF: 26452Career: 22: 3-6-2Prizemoney: $13,240
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7 Zeus Thunderbolt
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8 Pay Rival
T: Samantha GrenfellF: 71173Career: 15: 4-3-1Prizemoney: $6,935
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9 Darcy Dakota
T: Kerry StaggF: 21123Career: 30: 17-8-3Prizemoney: $34,580
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10 Paw Ultra
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