Track: Good possible Soft Weather: Possible Shower.

Twenty runners have accepted for the $502,250 Group 1 South Australian Derby with four of them being emergencies and there has been one early scratching. The Ciaron Maher/David Eustace stable and the Mick Price/Michael Kent Jnr stable have two runners entered each for the event whilst every other trainer has just one entry each.

Alegron has opened the early favourite in the betting following his 2.2 length victory in the VRC St Leger. That race is generally a nice lead-up for a race like this and James Cummings will be looking to win the Derby for the first time, a race in which his grandfather Bart won ten times. Detonator Jack is looking for three wins in a row and to remain undefeated on the second line of betting. He is coming off a nice 1.5-length win in a benchmark 78 race at Sandown Lakeside.

Jungle Magnate is on the third line of betting and he is coming through the other main lead-up race, the Chairman’s Stakes. He was an impressive winner of the race coming from the second half of the field to win by just under a length against similar opposition.

1. Alegron (3)

VRC Leger winner. Has the kilometres in the legs, drawn ideally, and gets the master Damien Oliver aboard. Looks very hard to beat.

2. Teewaters (1)

SCRATCHED

3. Jungle Magnate (12)

Chairman’s Stakes winner. Only had one go at 2500m where he was a distant eleventh. Will be giving them a start. Place chance.

4. Commander Harry (8)

Third behind Detonator Jack at Sandown in a benchmark 78. Like others, didn’t handle 2500m last preparation. This is much easier than that. Place chance.

5. Harleymoven (11)

Gave them a silly start in the Chairman’s Stakes, only to run less than a length in second. Has never gone beyond 2000m but looks to have x-factor and could be a massive chance providing he doesn’t give them too much of a start.

6. Detonator Jack (15)

Undefeated galloper who was massive last start over 2100m. Distance should be no worries but the draw means he could be doing the hard yards or pretty far back. Chance with luck.

7. The Nephew (4)

Can’t have on recent form.

8. Son of Emperor (19)

Strange run behind Jungle Magnate and he is no doubt better than that. A couple of gear chances but drawn horribly. Place chance at best.

9. Saint Tropez (17)

Went well last start but this is too much.

10. Water Into Wine (7)

Impressive in a benchmark 64 over 2255m at Geelong. Distance won’t be an issue and maps perfectly but the question mark is over his class.

11. Yapet (13)

Come from last in an open 2000m race at Caulfield to finish 2.3 lengths back in fourth. Distance might not be an issue but class and map might hurt his chances.

12. King of Pharaohs (16)

Could run a race but I prefer others.

13. Claidheamh Mor (18)

Thrown in the deep end with a horror draw.

14. Sebastian The Fox (20)

Can’t have.

15. Phere The Ex (6)

Placed over 2200m last preparation in the Geelong Classic. Enters this race third-up but I think he this is just beyond him.

16. Lady Chant (5)

Looks outclassed.

17e. Texas Tea (10)

Gained a start but also entered for Geelong on Friday. Looks unlikely but don’t underestimate the stable.

18e. Turfie (9)

Looks outclassed.

19e. Bring The Stars (14)

Can’t Have.

20e. Six Foot Song (2)

Looks outclassed.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
1 Alegron	1 Alegron
6 Detonator Jack	5 Harleymoven
4 Commander Harry	6 Detonator Jack
3 Jungle Magnate	3 Jungle Magnate