A capacity field will contest the Group 1 S.A Derby this Saturday with Gai Waterhouse’s Order Of The Sun, early favourite in an open affair at $4.00. The race has been good to punters in recent years with four of the last six winners starting the popular elect. Challenging Order Of The Sun on the third line of betting is Scratchy Bottom, the only filly entered for this year’s race. Connections will be hoping she will be the first filly since Zarita in 2008, to collect the prize. The only other runners under double figure odds in early betting is the promising stayer, Bring Something at $5.50 and Gravitational at $8.50.
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1. GAMBLIN’ GURU – J Holder (19)
Stable will be looking for their second G1 in as many weeks after Go Indy Go secured the Champagne Stakes last week however this son of New Approach, who is looking for his third win in a row after taking out the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and G3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m), will face a task from a poor draw. His form is faultless this time in but he has been able to secure a nice run handy the speed in most cases. Will have to work much harder, and be very lucky, to find a similar spot from his gate.
2. BEST CASE – D Oliver (7)
Anthony Cummings trained galloper who worked home well in the G2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) when fifth (2.4 lengths) to Traitor before again doing his best work late in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), finishing third to Gallatin and Singing Flame. Secured a lovely run in the ATC Derby but didn’t handle the bog track and was unable to improve his position from the turn, running eighth (11.4 lengths) to Criterion. A drier track and the services of Oliver are positives but three weeks since a hard 2400m hit-out is a concern.
3. KUSHADASI – S Arnold (3)
Installed as the 9/10 on favourite for the Port Adelaide Guineas after winning two in a row and finished well from back in the field but unfortunately for punters, was out-bobbed on the line by Gamblin’ Guru. Punters stuck with him in last week’s Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) but again, after getting a long way back, finished behind Gamblin’ Guru in fourth spot (3.7 lengths). Might take a bit more of a forward position from gate three which will helps his chance and is yet to run a bad race from his nine starts.
4. ORDER OF THE SUN – V Duric (4)
Gai Waterhouse’s representative who weakened from on on-pace position in the G1 Rosehill Guineas and G2 Tulloch Stakes – both on wet tracks, before heading south to Flemington and lining up in the Listed St Leger (2800m). The Encosta De Lago colt led and gave nothing else a chance in a strong staying performance, clearing out to win by seven lengths. He has drawn perfectly to take up a similar position here and no queries with him, unlike some, seeing out the trip. He’ll take plenty of catching.
5. EXCITES ZELADY – A Herrmann (17)
After drawing wide in the Port Adelaide Guineas, the Chris Bieg trained galloper did well to run sixth (2.1 lengths) behind Gamblin Guru before, from a much better draw, pushing the same horse all the way in the G3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) last week and only fall short by a nose. The son of Excites has improved with each of his four runs in this campaign and appears to peaking at the right time. Just a shame the draw it so tough for him.
6. SURGE AHEAD – C Symons (10)
After finishing close up behind Shamus Award in the G1 Australian Guineas, the Danehill Dancer colt was sent out the 3/1 favourite for the G2 Alister Clark (2000m) at Moonee Valley. He had to do too much work in the Alister Clark to take up a forward position and was found wanting late, holding on for third (2.1 lengths) to Pheidon. He then ventured to Sydney for the Rosehill Guineas and Australian Derby but on a slow and heavy track respectively, floundered in the going and was well beaten in both. Back on top of the ground should see an improved effort and has always given the impression the distance will be to his liking.
7. HONEY STEEL’S GOLD – M Neilson (12)
The Keep The Faith gelding won a BM 70 (1800m) at Sandown second up this time in but in four subsequent starts, all in better grade, he has found the competition a shade too strong. A valiant effort under 60kgs saw him run third (2.5 lengths) behind the promising Bring Something in the Listed Galilee Final two starts back before, at his most recent start, chasing gamely to run second (7 lengths) to Order Of The Sun in the VRC St Leger (2800m). An honest competitor but similar to recent starts, might just find a couple a touch too good.
8. BRING SOMETHING – M Zahra (14)
Two starts ago, at his ninth career start, trainer Ken Keys took his galloper to Cranbourne where as 4/9 on favourite, he was simply too good for his nine rivals, winning by a commanding 6 ½ lengths. He backed that up at his following and most recent start; where again he started odds on, with an impressive two length win in the Listed Galilee Stakes (2400m). Came from a long way back last start and was strong through the line. Has always shown ability and is now appears to be putting it all together.
9. CRIME FIGHTER – S Cahill (9)
After winning two in a row at Moonee Valley, including a 2 ½ length victory over 2040m in 3yo Open company, trainer Peter Moody decided to have a crack at the G1 ATC Derby. The heavy track and top shelf competition proved too much for the Street Cry gelding who finished eleventh and over a dozen lengths from the winner. That was his fourth attempt at a Group or Listed race and on each occasion, he has been well accounted for. Hard to see him breaking through at that level here.
10. MAJESTIC MOMENT – J Bowditch (5)
Made it two in a row with a good 1 ¾ length win at Balaklava last start in a RST 68 (2200m) carrying 58kgs. The Richard Jolly trained galloper will take up a handy spot from gate five and is improving with each run but not at a rate that would see him successful here.
11. MORE REWARDING – D Yendall (2)
Mick Price’s Red Ransome colt won his second race from eight starts when scoring a comprehensive victory at Sale in a RST 64 (2200m) two starts back. He then contested the VRC St Leger and sat handy to the speed with eventual winner Order Of The Sun but was no match for that horse late and battled away to hold on for fourth, almost a dozen lengths from the winner. It is hard to see him winning this race off of that run.
12. SURGING WAVE – M Walker (15)
At his third run back this campaign, the David Hayes’ trained runner recorded his second career win when coming from back in the field to score a 1.3 length win at Cranbourne over 2025m. He too then went to Sydney for the Australian Derby but was easily accounted for by the better grade of competitor and finished tenth (13.4 lengths). Efforts at or beyond 2000m have only been moderate.
13. GRAVITATIONAL – J Winks (8)
Only has the one win from twelve starts to his name does this Danny O’Brien trained galloper but after his eye-catching effort last start when third (beaten a head) to Gamblin Man and Excites Zelady, he has to come right into calculations. The son of Astronomer Royal rounded out an average spring campaign with a closing seventh (2.9 lengths) behind Surge Ahead in the Listed Connoisseur Stakes (1700m) and has obviously improved over the break. First go beyond 2000m but last start suggests it will not be a problem and has to be highly considered.
14. FAMILY PRIDE – C Parish (18)
Had every chance in the run two starts ago when third (4.3 lengths) to Crime Fighter at Moonee Valley over 2040m two starts ago before the Murray Johnson representative finished a well beaten, second to last in the Listed Galilee Final three weeks ago. Needs show significant improvement let along negotiate the outside gate?
15. REDNAV – S Price (13)
Greg Eurell’s runner who has contested the lead up races for this even in the past month – the Port Adelaide Guineas and last week’s G3 Chairman’s Stakes. Surprised most when at 66/1, he took up a forward position and stuck on resolutely for a head third to Gamblin’ Guru in the Guineas before again settling up front from a wide gate in the Chairman’s, where his run peaked over the final furlong seeing him finish fifth (3.8 lengths). Will shoot across from his gate but have plenty of company up front and can’t see him holding off the challengers late.
16. SCRATCHY BOTTOM – D Tourneur (1)
The only filly in the race, she did a fantastic job last week in the G1 Australasian Oaks to run third, beaten a neck, to May’s Dream and Star Fashion. It was her first run in six weeks and saw her come from a long way back in the run. Mick Kent’s daughter of Sebring has always shown above average ability and can only be fitter again for last week’s run. Capable of beating the boys.
17. LORD ATHENAEUM – (6) (1st EM)
He finished a well beaten eleventh in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (11.2 lengths) and was only slightly better in last week’s Chairman’s Stakes when running sixth (6.5 lengths). Only won the one from fourteen starts and would think there are easier races than this available for him.
18. WORD OF MOUTH – (11) (2nd EM)
Half to handy performer Diamond To Pegasus, this gelding by Not A Single Doubt broke his maiden at his most recent outing, his eight start, with a 2.5 length win in a Tatura Maiden (1980m). His Trainer Leon Corstens is going well at the moment but not well enough that, should this bloke get a run, he’ll be winning this race with Word Of Mouth.
19. STELLARIZED – (16) (3rd EM)
He was a touch unlucky last start at Bendigo where, in a RST 64 race over 2200m, he was disappointed for a run when fourth (1.2 lengths) behind Tampere. Probably won’t get a start being third emergency but likely to struggle if he does.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Order Of The Sun can stay and from the front, he’ll make sure it is true test of endurance. Gai’s horses are hard to run down when rolling in front and as he proved last start, this bloke is no exception. The filly Scratchy Bottom was very good last week in the Oaks off an unorthodox preparation and must surely be fitter again with that run under her belt. The quick back-up is a concern but she has the class needed to met the challenge. Bring Something is the one peaking at the right time. He still learning the staying caper but has a tonne of ability. He’ll get the trip not a problem and for the 3yo’s, that’s have the battle won.
- ORDER OF THE SUN
- SCRATCHY BOTTOM
- BRING SOMETHING
- GRAVITATIONAL
