Ladbrokes Blog: South Australian Derby Day Preview 2024

Morphettville will again play host to Group One racing this weekend, with the South Australian Derby set to headline an exciting day of action.

Picture: Racing Photos

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Run over the 2500m journey, the time honoured event is a true staying test for the three years old and this year we'll see a full field assemble for the $1m feature.

The rail will be out 2m from the 1200m to the winning post and in the true position for the remainder and the track is currently rated a good 4.

We've had a close look at all nine races on the program and our thoughts can be found below.

RACE 1 - 11:52PM: GRAND SYNDICATES HANDICAP 0-66 (2004 METRES)

Artzino is racing well and comes off a very encouraging performance over 1800m on the Caulfield Heath.

After settling back in the field, the Tarzino gelding worked his way through in restricted room and finished off strongly.

Despite being unplaced in two starts over this trip, he had genuine excuses on both occasions and on the back of that last run, the rise in trip looks ideal.

He'll appreciate getting back out on a bigger track and Blake Shinn stays in the saddle for the Price / Kent team.

1 unit – ARTZINO

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 1 

RACE 2 - 12:27PM: SPORTSBET BET WITH MATES HANDICAP (1050 METRES)

Miss Sunshine has performed well in all four starts and looks very promising.

The daughter of Snitzel finished third at her first two outings, with breaks in between and when resuming after having bone chips removed, proved too classy over the 1000m at Ballarat. 

When racing in behind the leader last time she never looked entirely comfortable and although she had her chance to win, she just had one get the better of her late and that runner has since gone on to win again.

She gets a senior rider back in the saddle, with Damian Lane to do the steering for Tony and Calvin McEvoy.

1 unit – MISS SUNSHINE

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 2 

RACE 3 - 1:02PM: HAHN HANDICAP BM64 (1050 METRES) 

Classy Kenny resumes.

The six year old was mixing his form last preparation but that was in much stronger company and he'll appreciate the drop back in grade.

A two time winner second up, he looks well placed kicking off over 1050m and gets the services of Blake Shinn. 

1 unit E/W – CLASSY KENNY

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 3 

RACE 4 - 1:37PM: ADELAIDE IN AUTUMN SERIES FINAL BM74 HANDICAP (1504 METRES)

Jazz Affair will look to make it make it three on the trot as she comes off a dominant victory in similar company.  

The daughter of Demerit was sent to the paddock after scoring a deserved maiden win and has returned in top order.

Unlucky not to have won first up when held up for the majority of the straight, she charged late to claim third.

She's improved with the rise in trip on each occasion and the 1507m here looks ideal.

Prepared by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, the four year old looks very progressive and will be afforded every chance under Jake Toeroek.

1 unit – JAZZ AFFAIR

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 4 

RACE 5 - 2:12PM: WINNING EDGE PRESENTATIONS PROVINCIAL PATHWAYS FINAL BM70 HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

Sir Kingsford comes off a commanding last start victory over 1550m on the Parks track and looks hard to beat again.  

The Sir Prancelot gelding was fresh off a six week let up and never looked in doubt after he was taken to the front.

After a slow start to his career, he really came of age last campaign, putting together three successive wins and stretching out to 2040m.

The rise to 1800m will suit and from barrier seven he'll be able to roll forward and will take some catching.

1 unit – SIR KINGSFORD

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 5 

RACE 6 - 2:47PM: ADELAIDE GALVANISING INDUSTRIES ADELAIDE GUINEAS 3YO SW (1600 METRES)

Spirit Of Camelot has been very good in all three of her raceday appearances and was unlucky not to have won the Listed Nitschke Stakes last start.

Held up with nowhere to go for the majority of the straight, she charged late once clear to get within half a length of the winner. 

The start prior, she recorded her maiden win in good style over 1000m at Ballarat and that form has been franked with the runner up going on to win comfortably.

The rise to the mile looks ideal for this daughter of Camelot and she's drawn to get all the favours under Jamie Kah, who goes back aboard for Michael Hickmott.

1 unit – SPIRIT OF CAMELOT

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 6 

RACE 7 - 3:25PM: QUEEN ELIZABETH II CUP (FORMALLY PORT ADELAIDE CUP) GROUP 3 (2500 METRES)

First Immortal comes off an average performance in the Mornington Cup but I'm happy to stick with him.

The four year old son of Churchill has built a very impressive record during his career to date and has proven himself a quality stayer.

He returned off a break with a solid win in the listed Anniversary Vase over the mile at Caulfield and was luckless at his following outing in the Easter Cup.

He presents here at peak fitness with the three runs under his belt and has drawn to get the right run under Blake Shinn, who goes back onboard.

1 unit – FIRST IMMORTAL

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 7 

RACE 8 - 4:05PM: THOMAS FARMS SOUTH AUSTRALIA DERBY 3YO SW GROUP 1 (2500 METRES)

Antrim Coast has just the two Australian starts and has performed very well on both occasions.

Runner up in the New Zealand Derby behind the highly talented Orchestral before making his way across the ditch, the Kiwi galloper proved good in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes.

He then lined up in the Galilee Series Final where he hit the front a long way out and was only collared in the shadows of the post.

Under the set weight conditions he gets in beautifully, Michael Dee goes back aboard and from the good gate, he's set to enjoy a cosy run.

1 unit – ANTRIM COAST

 BET NOW: Morphettville Race 8 

RACE 9 - 4:40PM: DAVID 'DT' THOMAS MEMORIAL SA SPRINT SERIES FINAL BM74 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)

Prairie Flower comes here in top form after saluting in two of her past three outings.

The Star Turn mare was transferred back to the David Jolly yard after scoring here back in March and she produced a solid effort in Listed grade to finish fifth behind subsequent Group One winner Climbing Star.

Given a 10/10 ride by Maggie Collett last start she charged through the pack late to score. 

She's fit, she loves it here at Morphettville and gets the 2kg for Collett, who stays in the saddle.

1 unit – PRAIRIE FLOWER

 BET NOW: Morpettville Race 9 


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