The only G1 race this weekend will be held at South Australia’s Morphettville track and is the SA Derby. Punters have identified the top three horses as the leading chances but have had trouble splitting them with Hvaastan ($4), Hioctdane ($4.40) and Shoreham ($3.70). Only one other runner – Gerontius ($8.00) is under double figures odds.
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South Australian Derby Form Guide
1. HVAASTAN – G Boss (11)
Came back to racing in good style and after his win in the G2 Alister Clark Stakes third up, all looked in order for his trip to Sydney and the ATC Derby. However the Peter Gelagotis trained galloper didn’t take to the right-hand way of going and failed in G1 Rosehill Guineas before being well beaten in the Derby behind It’s A Dundeel. Back to left-hand racing will be a bonus and if near is best, will give this a shake.
2. HIOCTDANE – P Gatt (15)
Strada gelding that won the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at his fourth race start in the Spring and has come back in very good order as indicated by his dominate 4 ¼ length win in the G3 Veolia Stakes (2000m) last week. Has improved with every run this time and the 2400m shouldn’t be a problem – the barrier on the other hand?
3. SHOREHAM – C Symons (3)
Won the Listed Galilee Final (2500m) last start in impressive style by 3 ½ lengths for Flemington trainer, Saab Hasan. That followed good efforts in Open company firstly behind High Esteem and then Kings Palace both at Caulfield. Symons won the Adelaide Cup a few weeks back and has a good chance here of making a feature double.
4. GERONTIUS – D Dunn (2)
An Oratorio gelding that is trained by David Hayes and who looks a genuine stayer in the making. He ran fourth behind Hvaastan in the Alister Clark Stakes before heading to Sydney and finishing better than most in the G2 Tulloch Stakes (fifth) and G1 ATC Derby (fourth). Finished behind some smart ones last start and Kingdoms (3rd in ATC Derby) was good again in Sydney last week. A definite chance at a good price.
5. GOLD MEDALS – S Baster (9)
Good effort two starts back when getting the bob in over Hunger in a 3yo Open race at Moonee Valley (1600m) and then nothing much went right last start when Hunger turned the tables in him over 1800m. By Elvostroem – a VRC Debry winner – but does jump significantly in distance here.
6. ESCADO – B Melham (1)
Two wins for this Matt Laurie trained galloper from thirteen starts and they’ve both come on heavy tracks and early in his career. Has had four runs back this time in with the pick of them his most recent, when second of ten as 6/4 favourite in BM 72 (2000m) on the Geelong Synthetic track. Off that effort, can’t see him winning here.
7. PINS OF PELE – C Lever (13)
Lightly raced Pins gelding from Anthony Freedman’s Mornington stables who dominated from the front in winning a RST 62 (2232m) at Sale two starts back before a fair effort behind Hioctdane in the Veolia Stakes last week, when third (beaten 5 ¼ lengths). Hard to see how he’ll turn the tables on that horse here.
8. McNULTY – V Duric (5)
Still a maiden is this son of Refuse to Bend but judging by his recent efforts in the Listed Galilee Final (2500m) and VRC St. Ledger (2800m) where he finished fourth and second respectively, he won’t be for much longer. Last start he won only three lengths of Hippopus who has very solid Sydney form. Very good hope at $13.00.
9. COOLDINI – J Mott (7)
Won two of his first four starts but since his return from a spell, hasn’t been able to get close to the placings in four starts. From a wide gate he got back and only batted home when 4 ¼ length behind Hunger two weeks ago.
Given a barrier trial by trainer Robert Smerdon over 1500m on Monday in an attempt I would assume, to switch him on mentally.
10. BEL THOR – J Fry (14)
After his effort in the Listed Galilee Final, where he finished second to Shoreham, expected a lot more of him last week in the G3 Veolia Stakes (2000m). He led there but capitulated late and ended up running tenth of twelve and some dozen lengths from winner Hioctdane. Not the final hit-out you’d want to see leading into a G1.
11. PACKING EMPIRE – C Robertson (12)
David Hayes has this son of High Chapparal who is lining up for only his fourth race start. He made his debut at Ballarat over 1400m and was never sighted before having three weeks off and jumping straight the 2000m of a Seymore Maiden, where he ran third. His next and most recent start resulted in a 6 ½ length win in a Bendigo Maiden over 2400m. No problems this trip but a race like this might have come upon him too early in his career.
12. GINGERBOY – S Price (10)
One win from his eleven starts and that came in a Stawell Maiden (2018m) back in January, four starts ago. He settled handy to the speed last week in the G3 Veolia Stakes but had nothing to offer when challenged late and ran 6.7 lengths fifth. Can’t see him winning his second race here.
13. HE’SNOTTHEMESSIAH – B Rawiller (6)
Second of Kent’s runners who has only had four starts, the latest of which was sixth (beaten 7 ½ lengths) behind Hioctdane in the G3 Veolia Stakes (2000m). A dour type who will enjoy racing over the 2500m but it is hard to see him improving eight lengths on last week.
14. LIKE A CAROUSEL – C Lindop (4)
This Helike gelding has run fourth three times in six starts, but it still looking for his first placing let alone a win. Well accounted for in both the Listed Galilee Final and VRC St. Leger at his recent outings and that looks set to continue here.
15. MOLTO BENE – T Pannell (8)
She won her first two starts which included a three length victory in the G3 Sires Produce and even started favourite in last year’s G1 Thousand Guineas after a slashing third in the Guineas Prelude. Four runs back this time in have been good without having a win to show for it. She was third to High Esteem two starts back before running seventh (beaten 4.6 lengths) as 4/1 favourite in the SA Oaks last week. A better chance than most of the boys here but think she’ll find at least one or two, too strong.
OVERVIEW
Going with a maiden here in McNulty. Trainer Mick Kent has produced lightly raced horses in similar events – Epingle, Summerbliss, Absolutely with success and think this bloke fits the bill. He’s fit, no question marks over the distance given his last start effort when second to Hippopus if who were in this race, would be favourite. $13.00 eachway Gerontius has been good in top 2yo races at his last two and he’ll appreciate being back to this grade. Had the services of Dunn and a good draw that should ensure a nice run in transit. These two coupled with the market leaders Shoreham, Hioctdane.and Hvaastan for the trifecta/First 4.
