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
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
That concludes our coverage of the South Australian Derby for 2014- one for the locals with a desperately close win to Kushadasi over Scratchy Bottom
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
On the positive side however we have seen 2003 winner Mummify go on to win the Caulfield Cup later that year and of course Subzero won this race in 1992. Best of luck to Kushadasi as he may well attempt a Melbourne Spring assignment later this year. If he strikes a rain affected track he could be a bit of a surprise packet
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
History will now have to judge how strong this Derby was- here is hoping we see some of these runners go right on with it- admittedly we haven't seen recent winners of past couple of years go on to further success.
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Dominic Tourneur could not have ridden Scratchy Bottom much better than that to only just miss, she railed beautifully but as we mentioned perhaps just found the lead too quickly for her own good- having said that she kept finding and almost gave her sire Sebring an unbelievable Derby double after his success with Criterion. One thing we have learned beyond all doubt now is that Sebring is officially a potential sire of stayers and could well end up with Cups horses in the future
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Plenty of merit in Best Case's run but particular plaudits should also go to 4th placegetter Gamblin Guru who sustained a long run from the tale at the 800m and went 2 and 3 wide in the process- tough effort
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
official placings: 1st Kushadasi 2nd Scratchy Bottom' 3rd Best Case 4th Gamblin Guru
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Steven Arnold had plenty of work ahead of him at the 100m, it proved a genuine staying test, a sensational result for the locals with Richard Jolly training the winner, superbly planned campaign
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Scratchy Bottom had a saloon passage up the inside but perhaps got to the lead sooner than planed when Order of the Sun faded, and Kushadasi has won the photo! Pipping her right on the line,
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Its a photo! Kushadasi or Scratchy Bottom on the inside, Order of the sun Faded after leading
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Order of the Sun maintains a strong tempo up front
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Scratchy Bottom is being ridden a little closer than expected now midfield
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
They're off! Order of the Sun and Family Pride take up the running, Kushadasi settling 3 back on the inside
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Order of the Sun continues to firm now back into his original quote of $4 during the week
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
All runners are looking particularly relaxed as they start to load
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
They are at the gates for 2014 South Australian Derby! Honey Steels Gold is having her saddles adjusted currently, we may have a slight delay
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Scratchy Bottom will be sweating on a hot speed possibly set-up by Order Of The Sun here to get over the top of them- it is going to be her first test however over the 2500m which remains a query
Colin McClymont
Guest
Kushadasi has been looking good all prep since he pushed Hucklebuck first up. This is the day he has aimed at, and will appreciate the step up in trip. Gamblin Guru keeps winning and they are the two best locals. The filly Scratchy Bottom and Order of the Sun are the other 2 best hopes.
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
Punters have now rallied again behind Order Of The Sun back into $4.50 from $4.80- whilst Bring Something continues to drift now out to $8. Scratchy bottom has moved from $5-$6 also
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
The locals have already been given a thrill earlier today with the return to form of Miracles of Life in the Sportingbet Stakes.
Josh Cooke
Roar Pro
One such galloper is Best Case for Anthony Cummings who will be looking to race in back-to-back Derby's . Recent history of previous S.A Derby winners suggests this will be a difficult task. One thing in his favour today however is the form of his jockey Damien Oliver who is shooting for a hatrick after booting home Alpha Beat in the previous race, the Adelaide Guineas