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The time honoured Group 1 South Australian Derby will be run at 4.10pm (EST) today from Morphettville Racecourse in what promises to be an intriguing race over 2500m.
The field is a mix of ATC Derby, VRC St. Ledger, Australasian Oaks and Chairman’s Stakes lead-in form. So which lead-up is looking the most reliable this year?
Crime Fighter, Best Case, Surge Ahead and Surging Wave were all well beaten in the ATC Derby during the Championships in Sydney. Connections of these gallopers must have a lot of confidence in their durability to proceed to yet another tough Group 1 here, particularly given their punishing runs on the heavy surface.
It is not a surprise that all four are well and truly at each-way odds here with massive turnarounds required.
Order of The Sun, on the other hand, was on an ATC Derby preparation but his trainer Gai Waterhouse elected to head to the easier VRC St.Ledger at Flemington instead. This proved the right call after the Encosta De Lago colt absolutely bolted in by seven lengths last start.
The VRC St Ledger is run over 2800m too so today’s 2500m should not pose any threats to him. Surely this last start performance will be enough to have him posted as favourite here. The only query will be whether he has already peaked this preparation.
The Chairman’s form is best followed through the winner Gamblin’ Guru, third place-getter, Gravitational and strong finisher Kushadasi. Second place-getter in that race, Excites Zelady has yet to win beyond 1400m so there is far less confidence with her. Gamblin’ Guru and Kushadasi present South Australia with the best hope of a local victory.
The “home ground” advantage should not be underestimated, especially when you consider Gamblin’ Guru’s top record here at Morphettville.He has only missed the placings twice from eight starts. It is also noted that today is clearly their Grand Finals whereas you just wonder if some of their interstate rivals are here as a Plan B.
Victorian visitor Bring Something, however, does appear to have been building towards this task after a good win in the Galilee Series Final at Caulfield last start. It would be worth noting that both he and filly Scratchy Bottom (I’ve moved to the acceptance stage of her ridiculous naming!) are by the sire of the moment, Sebring. The sprinting stallion did what many thought impossible by siring ATC Derby winner Criterion. He has two live chances to create even more history here.
Scratchy Bottom also has the advantage of being prepared by Mick Kent, an unassuming and very skilled trainer who most recently had her placing in the Australasian Oaks last week. The last filly to win the S.A. Derby was Zarita in 2008, albeit she won the Oaks on the way. Scratchy Bottom will be ridden back by jockey Dominique Tourneur and be looking to rocket home.
Overall, we can expect a competitive Derby on what is one of the biggest days on the South Australian turf calendar. A race that is wide open with multiple form lines and chances.
Tips
1st- Kushadasi
2nd- Gamblin’ Guru
3rd- Scratchy Bottom
4th- Best Case
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