The SA Derby is a Group 1 race held each year at Morphetville Racecourse. Raced over 2500 metres for $500,000 in prizemoney, the SA Derby has become an important part of the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival. This event has been raced in Adelaide since 1860, making it one of the oldest events on the Australian racing calendar.
Special Offer: $400 SA Derby FREE BET – Sportsbet
The inaugural SA Derby was run on 5 January 1860 at Thebarton Racecourse. Originally called the Thebarton Derby, it was raced over 1 1/2 miles for stakes of 100 sovereigns. By 1862 this event was simply known as The Derby, with the race moving to its current home of Morphetville Racecourse in 1876. This event has changed distance a few times over the years, altering in length between 2400 metres and 2500 metres from 1972 to today.
The SA Derby was won by some notable names in the early years, including 1880 winner The Assyrian who went on to win the Melbourne Cup two years later. F.J.A. won this event in 1903, with the son of Wallace also going on to win a VRC Derby, Toorak Handicap, and All Aged Stakes. 1961 winner Gatum Gatum also went on to win the Melbourne Cup in 1963, with 1972 winner Dayana winning the Perth Cup in 1973.
In more recent times, winners of the SA Derby have included Mummify in 2003, Zarita in 2008, Rebel Raider in 2009, Kidnapped in 2010, Shadows In The Sun in 2011, Zabeelionaire in 2012, and Escado in 2013. The SA Derby normally attracts above average three-year-olds, with 2003 winner Mummify going on to win the 2003 Caulfield Cup while also finishing third the following year in 2004.
The famous Subzero won this race in 1992, before going on to win the Melbourne Cup on a wet track the next season. Other horses from this event have also had success in Australia’s biggest race, with Count Chivas in 1995 and Shivas Revenge in 1991 both placing second in a Melbourne Cup after winning this event. Fillies have had a good amount of success in the SA Derby, with recent winner Zarita completing the Australasian Oaks and SA Derby double just a few years ago in 2008.
News:
Richard Jolly is convinced a better barrier draw will help Kushadasi’s South Australian Derby chances as the trainer bids to go one better than last year.
The Jolly-trained Hioctdane was runner-up in the Derby 12 months ago after jumping from the outside barrier and the trainer will saddle up two horses in Saturday’s 2500-metre Group One at Morphettville.
Kushadasi, who has barrier three, is Jolly’s leading chance with class on his side but the trainer also believes Majestic Moment is not out of it stepping up in trip after two provincial wins.
Kushadasi was a close second to Gamblin’ Guru in the Port Adelaide Guineas then had excuses last Saturday when he came from last for fourth in the Chairman’s Stakes (2000m).
The gelding jumped from a wide gate then struck interference and clipped heels shortly after the start which Jolly said resulted in Kushadasi ending up a clear last in transit.
“He’s going to be allowed the relax early but certainly from the good draw hopefully he can relax and he’s certainly going to be a lot closer than he was the other day,” Jolly said.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Order Of The Sun is the favourite ahead of last start Caulfield winner Bring Something.
Australasian Oaks placegetter Scratchy Bottom holds the third line of betting while Kushadasi shares the fourth line with Best Case.
“You’ve got to line different form lines up which makes it hard, but I’m happy with him (Kushadasi),” Jolly said.
“I think he’s up to it.”
Jolly said the distance was still a query for Kushadasi but said he was a relaxed horse which would help him.
Majestic Moment was taken to Murray Bridge and Balaklava at his past two starts, instead of tackling Kushadasi in stakes races, and won over 1606m and 2200m.
“I took him back to winnable races and he’s going really well. He showed he can stay. I definitely think he’s not hopeless in the race,” Jolly said.
