The Adelaide Racing Carnival ramps up this Saturday at Morphettville with the running of the prestigious South Australian Derby.
The $1 million Group 1 feature has drawn a full field of three-year-olds tackling the 2500m journey, headlined by dual Pakenham winner Accidental Bid and last-start VRC St Leger victor Silvasista.
Support races include the Port Adelaide Cup and Adelaide Guineas earlier in the program.
For full analysis and selections across all nine Morphettville races, check out our South Australian Derby Day preview below.
STRAAND DEAL (4) warrants another look after failing to run on at Caulfield a few weeks ago in a similar contest.
The son to Dundeel was up sharply over 2000m second-up, coming off a first-up effort for third on the Heath track where he gave a nice sight in behind Grand Omaha.
Mark Zahra said post-race that his ride failed to respond and blinkers would help, and trainer Lloyd Kennewell has wasted no time following his advice. If he gets some room in running from the inside gate, his fitness should prove the difference here in this small field.
| 4. Straand Deal (1) J: Mark Zahra 60kg 11×37 T: Lloyd Kennewell |
ODESSA (4) looks the most likely to improve coming off a runner-up effort on the Parks track a couple of weeks ago.
The McEvoy-trained filly gave a nice sight settling up on the speed, finding the box seat early and holding that spot all the way to really test Bred ‘Em All over the late stages.
She won by a whopping 5.5 length margin at this stage of her prep over the spring and gets in nicely here with the 3kg claim. Looks very tough to beat.
| 4. Odessa (10) J: Brooke King 59.5kg 53×52 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy |
SNALLYGASTER (8) is worth sticking with after shedding the maiden tag by 1.8 lengths at Oakbank last month.
Granted, the son to Stratum Star got a dream run up front, but there was genuinely a lot to like about the way he clicked into gear and raced a way to put paid to his rivals.
This is tougher again up in grade, but the form from that previous race reads well and he looks to have enough early speed to cross and lead from the wide gate.
| 8. Snallygaster (12) J: Craig Williams 58.5kg 3×1 T: Richard & Chantelle Jolly |
IN THAT MODE (6) has his sights set on a hat-trick now.
He’s made short work of his rivals in two recent wins at Oakbank and Gawler, winning by a combined margin of 4.3 lengths.
This is harder again, but he’s drawn a nice soft gate that should allow him every opportunity to push forward early and land on the speed. On a quick turnaround after winning last week, he’s a leading contender in a tricky and open race.
| 6. In That Mode (5) J: Jackson Murphy 56kg 88411 T: Luke O’connor |
TROPICAL HOUSE (10) should be adding to her second-up record here for Jake Stephens and company.
This talented four-year-old mare added to her honest record when resuming to run third on a wet day over the track and distance last start, over racing in the early stages but still knuckling down late to land in the money.
We saw her win twice here over the mile last year in succession and in a race that doesn’t appear overly deep on paper, she should settle in the back half early and save her absolute best for the finish.
| 10. Tropical House (4) J: Jamie Melham 56kg 112×3 T: Jake Stephens |
TWILIGHT ELEGANCE (9) has made the journey south and is racing quite well right now for Ciaron Maher and connections.
She was a convincing winner two back after being held up for a run at Pakenham over the same trip and was then caught behind a slower race at Caulfield last time out that has produced some good form since.
The daughter to Dundeel is no query getting back out over 2500m and gets in very well at the weights carrying 54kg under Jamie Melham. Maps to roll forward and test her luck on the speed and should prove difficult to catch.
| 9. Twilight Elegance (7) J: Jamie Melham 54kg x7915 T: Ciaron Maher |
YELLOWJACKET (12) is third-up and tackling the mile for the first time.
A lightly raced daughter to I Am Invincible, she was a complete forgive last time out in the Nitshcke Stakes over 1400m, held up approaching the furlong where she was beaten 2.3 lengths by Rohesia.
Her previous effort fresh over 1200m at Caulfield was good without winning, overcoming a slow start to land third.
Ready to peak now and under the safe hands of Craig Williams, she should be afforded a well-timed run coming off the speed from the inside gate.
| 12. Yellowjacket (1) J: Craig Williams 55.5kg 61×34 T: Phillip Stokes |
KAYE JAY (3) appeals with nearly a month between runs.
We last saw this Clayton Douglas-trained three-year-old contesting the ATC Derby at Randwick where he settled around midfield early on, before Mark Zahra made his move into the turn.
The pair finished only fairly in fourth, but keep in mind that was a big step up to 2400m after running third over 2000m in the Alister Clark at Caulfield the start prior.
Having proven capable of handling a wet track now, a little luck from the wide gate in the early stages would see the pair go close if they can settle off the pace.
| 3. Kaye Jay (9) J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg 21434 T: Clayton Douglas |
STREETCAR APOLLO (1) rates a key chance despite the fact he carries top weight from a tricky gate.
The Zoustar six-year-old hasn’t done much wrong this prep, winning three of his seven starts and running a place at Oakbank a few weeks ago where he was five-wide at one point into the turn.
There’s a bit to like about him back over 1200m in what is a very open race to wrap up the day.
| 1. Streetcar Apollo (6) J: John Allen 61kg 11313 T: David Jolly & Justin Potter |