South Australian Derby – 2021

Track: Good Weather: Possible Shower

Sixteen three year-olds have accepted for the South Australian Derby.  Team Hayes & Dabernig and team Maher & Eustace both have two runners as does Chris Waller.  Nine geldings, five colts and two fillies make up the field and the main lead up is the Chairmans Handicap.  Nine of them ran in it.  The early favourite in the betting is Explosive Jack.  Incredibly, despite being in his first racing preparation, he has already notched up victories in four different states and was a last start winner of the Australian Derby.  Liqueuro and Personal are equal second favourites.  Liqueuro has won four from five and is well drawn in barrier six.  Personal won last years Crown Oaks and is on the seven day back up after finishing second in the Australasian Oaks.

Deep Strike never got a crack at them last start and gets a big jockey change with Damian Lane going on.  Royal Mile doesn’t know how to run a bad race – he won the Chairmans last start.  Let’s Karaka Deel is third up here with the blinkers on and looks set up to run a big race, while Nobel Heights bolted in first up and has had things against him at his last two starts.  The remaining runners are longer than $20-1.

1. Explosive Jack

This colt has won in four different states and is still in his first racing preparation – an amazing training performance from Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.  He won the ATC derby at Randwick last time – if he can replicate that then he is the one to beat here.

2. Royal Mile

Has won four on the trot and is a genuine line finder.  He set a good clip out in front last start in the Chairmans and found another gear on the turn.  Will settle in the first four again here and give a great sight.

3. Liqueuro

Liqueuro has won four of five and got the better of Explosive Jack in the St Leger trial two back.  Has since won again at Caulfield.  Draws perfect.  Leading chance!

4. Let’s Karaka Deel

This is a likely target race for him and the blinkers go on.  He finished fifth in the Victorian Derby last year and second in the Norman Robinson prior to that.  Suspect they roll forward and try settle in the first two from the wide gate.   Another who has a great chance.

5. Azaly

Ran on okay in the Chairmans Stakes last start but needed to see more to be recommending here.

6. Deepstrike

Was an impressive Sandown winner two back, then had no luck at all last time in the Chairmans where he virtually went to the line untested.   Ready to peak now.

7. Miletus

Impressive winner at Sale two starts ago, then held his own in the Chairmans but might be lacking the class here.

8. Montepulciano

Finished second at a huge price in the Chairmans.  I have some queries at the distance but he should be able to settle in the first four or five again from barrier one and be given his chance.

9. Nobel Heights

Progressive type who bolted in first up at Sandown.  Got pushed very wide on the turn in the Chairmans but kept finding the line.  Softer draw here.  Each way hope.

10. Abreed

Picked up again late in the Chairmans after brushing with Nobel Heights in the straight.  He should be peaking here fourth up and I suspect he is looking for this trip.  Roughie with a chance.

11. Solar Apex

From the Chris Waller stable.  He has very different form lines to most of these.  He has run three placings in benchmark level in Sydney this time in and draws well.  Consider for multiples.

12. Suppression

Has won one of seven.  Ran second in a benchmark 70 against the older horses at Bendigo last start.  This looks a throw at the stumps.

13. Token Spirit

This son of Wandjina ran fourth in the Geelong Classic during the spring and is fourth up here coming off a second placing on the Pakenham synthetic.  Doubt that’s good enough.

14. Ichibansan

Interesting record.  Yet to run a place in nine goes but finished fourth in the Chairmans last time and was doing his best work late.  Consider for multiples at a big price!

15. Personal

Backs up after a good second in the Oaks last week.  She also won the Crown Oaks at Flemington during the spring and is a classy filly.  Likely to drift back from the wide barrier and try to get a cart into the race.  If Damian Oliver can do that then she can figure here.

16. Shebringzit

Saved all the ground in the Chairmans and finished well along the fence to run third.  Fit and racing well.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
1. Explosive Jack	4. Let’s Karaka Deel
3. Liqueuro	3. Liqueuro
15. Personal	1. Explosive Jack
2. Royal Mile	2. Royal Mile

Listed Wagga Wagga Cup 2021 (Wagga 2000m) – Friday

$500,000 The Coast 2021 (Gosford 1600m)