(Matthew Browning is a senior presenter with Sky Racing World)

A maiden winning a group 1 race is rare in racing but it has happened before and may happen in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday.

In 1990 Gordon Yorke sent a winless Fire Oak to the Derby. Although the three-year-old had been ultra consistent by being placed in the Norman Robinson, Spring Champion and Dulcify quality he had yet to record a win. 

At 16/1, he relished the step up to 2500-metres and despite the group 1 level shook off the maiden tag in rather spectacular style.

Two years later, Damien Oliver partnered Redding to Derby glory. It was his ninth start career start and his best previous efforts had been a third placing in the Stutt Stakes and fourth in the Vase at Moonee Valley.

This year, six of the final field of twenty still are to relish the joy of winning. 

Unfortunately, one of the better chances, Shadowofexcellence, only is second emergency and may struggle to make it to the post on Saturday. 

It would be a pity because Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes have been extremely patient with the son of Redoute's Choice and Tugela which is an illustrious breeding line because he is a little brother to triple Melbourne Cup triumph, Makybe Diva, and looks qualified to be a stayer with potential. 

Conscious of his pedigree, team Hawkes saved Shadowofexcellence until September for his debut run which resulted in an encouraging third at Geelong, however, the patience has its drawbacks because he could only qualify for emergency status.

The other Maidens aiming for Group 1 glory are Almindoro, Cosmonaut, Tales of Thunder, Ulundi and fourth emeregency, Kerchings.

The Bart Cummings-trained Cosmonaut showed promise in Sydney but has been a shade disappointing in Melbourned. Still  you cannot overlook the Cummings factor. 

Retrieve, winner of the Robinson Stakes looks to be the one to beat. He has continued to improve through his three-year-old career and will be peaking on Derby Day. 

AAMI Vase winner, Rekindled Interest, also is capable of capturing the Derby. After having struck trouble in just about every run this campaign, things finally went his way in the Vase. 

The wide open spaces at Flemington will suit him perfectly and he seems the type capable of handling the extra distance.

Enjoy the Derby. I'm hoping for a small miracle and Shadowofexcellence make a last minute entry to the Derby to take the first step towards emulating some of the fame earned by his big sister.