The 150th running of the SA Derby shapes to be an enthralling edition with a number of chances entering the field with scattered formlines.
The pinnacle of racing for 3YO's in South Australia which is run over 2500m, this event is always hard to line up and this year looks no different with multiple winning chances in the field.
Track Conditions
The rail is back in the true this week which is the most intriguing part of the conditions on offer.
The track pattern is going to be very interesting to watch throughout the day.
With the first 3 races on the card on the inner Parks circuit, the main track should hold together well prior to the running of the derby.
We have seen over the last few weeks that the inside lanes are inferior ground and I would expect the same here with the middle lanes likely to be the best part of the track again.
We should be on a Good 4 with no rain forecast in the lead-up to race day and should have perfect conditions.
A slight tailwind in the straight may favour on speed runners but I doubt it will have too much impact.
The Map
A very tricky map to predict with Suizuro from the outside gate and Captain Pluto from the inside both the likely on speed runners.
Loco will likely settle forward from his awkward draw, while there are a host of runners that will need to make an early decision as to where they land including Xtrarevz and Gottabesavvy.
I think race favourite She's Fit may have a look early to see if they can cross to a prominent position in the running, otherwise they will take a sit back of midfield.
There isn't an abundance of speed in this race and if Suizuro does cross immediately, he can control things up front.
The Favourite
She's Fit currently holds favouritism after running a massive race in the Oaks.
They went back from the wide draw that day and she absolutely stormed home to just miss out.
She ran out the 2400m in the WA Derby well enough which is a plus for today stepping out to 2500m.
The SA Oaks rated very well this year and the girls outperformed the boys that day which is why She's Fit holds current favouritism.
I think she is the one to beat. She does have an awkward draw to overcome but as long as she isn't caught 3 deep, she looks hard to go past.
Free Horse Racing Tips
There are multiple horses in this year's field that you can play and one of them is Aberfeldie Boy.
He has drawn out deep but they will settle back as per his normal racing pattern and look to run on strongly.
He was terribly unlucky in the VIC Derby in the Spring before being sent to the paddock after almost securing Group 1 glory.
He has returned by breaking his maiden fresh at Pakenham before a huge run behind D'Aguilar and White Martin over the 2000m against the older horses.
He was able to finish strongly and looks like a true 2500m horse.
If there is tempo in the race, he is the one to watch flying from the back.
Suizuro has the widest gate to contend with here but I think he should be able to cross the field with ease and get to control things in front.
If he can run this at a controlled tempo then they will likely struggle to run him down.
He ran a good race in the Chairman’s Stakes when getting flushed out early after he was box seating and had to make a move at the 600m to avoid the slower leaders dropping back on him.
He was vulnerable late but fought well to the line.
He can get the lead here and take some running down.
Loco headlines a few other major chances in the race as he makes the rise to the 2500m today for the first time.
He has been set for this race for a while after breaking his maiden on debut over the mile.
He ran well in the Chairman Stakes last start fighting hard to the line but did have every chance.
He is going to be better suited over this trip and while he has an awkward draw to overcome, he is right in this.
Head to our horse racing tip market to access the selections of proving winning form analysts.