Tips Category: South Australian Derby

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2022 South Australian Derby Runner By Runner Preview, Odds & Tips

The South Australian Derby takes centre stage this weekend at Morphettville racecourse. The $502,500 Group 1 is held over the testing journey of 2500m, for 3YO’s under set weights conditions. The feature was first run way back in 1860, and was taken out last year by the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace trained, Explosive Jack.

Looking at the market for this year’s Derby, Dabble has last start VRC St Leger winner, Alegron, favourite at $2.90, ahead of unbeaten gelding, Detonator Jack, at $4.40. Chairman’s Stakes winner, Jungle Magnate, and runner-up, Harleymoven, are next best at $7.00 and $7.50 respectively, and round out the main hopes, according to the bookies.

However, we know with horse racing that anything can happen, and there are a number of different form lines to analyse here. So, we have dissected each of the horses’ chances for you! Read on below to find our runner by runner preview of the 2022 South Australian Derby along with The Shark’s best tips. 

1. Alegron (3) – $2.90F
Jockey – Damien Oliver 56.5kg
Trainer – James Cummings

Ran on well to finish a close up 3rd two starts ago, in the ATC Derby behind Hitotsu, before a dominant win in the VRC St Leger last start over 2800m at Flemington. He’s a genuine stayer who will have no issues with the trip, and has drawn well with Oliver on board. Plenty to like about him here.

2. Teewaters (1) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – Declan Bates 56.5kg
Trainer – Archie Alexander

N/A.

3. Jungle Magnate (12) – $7.00
Jockey – Mark Zahra 56.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)

Good win at Mornington first up, before a midfield effort at Caulfield, where the leaders dominated the race. Came here a fortnight ago and was too good for his rivals in the Chairman’s. Steps out to 2500m now, where his only try was a failure, in the Victorian Derby last year. In saying that, he should be stronger and more seasoned now, and is in good form. Has to be respected.

4. Commander Harry (8) – $17
Jockey – Daniel Moor 56.5kg
Trainer – Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

Got home well at Mornington, to finish 3rd behind Jungle Magnate, before another good run last start at Sandown, behind the smart Detonator Jack. Another one who was plain in last year’s Vic Derby over this trip, but going off his previous form, should be in contention here.

5. Harleymoven (11) – $7.50
Jockey – Ryan Hurdle 56.5kg
Trainer – Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray

In-form local who blew his rivals away in the Port Adelaide Guineas, before getting a mile out of his ground and coming wide in the Chairman’s last start, to finish a game 2nd. He goes to sleep in his races, which should see him strong at the end of 2500m, and on previous form, has to be considered a winning chance.

6. Detonator Jack (15) – $4.40
Jockey – John Allen 56.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace


Unbeaten Jakkalberry gelding who was dominant last start at Sandown, over 2100m. Steps up in trip now to 2500m, and goes from a BM78 to a G1. With that said, he looks as though the trip will be no problem, and he oozes class. He should drift back from the gate, and have the last crack at them. Looks one of the main chances.

7. The Nephew (4) – $26
Jockey – Billy Egan 56.5kg
Trainer – Patrick Payne

Tasmanian Derby winner, who was good to the line behind Detonator Jack at Sandown, before finishing midfield behind Witchachar Star, who has since won the Warrnambool Cup. Should appreciate the firmer footing here, and from the good gate, can figure in the finish.

8. Son Of Emperor (19) – $34
Jockey – Jason Holder 56.5kg
Trainer – Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr)

Made it two from two this prep when he won well at Caulfield, beating home Australasian Oaks winner, Glint of Hope, before leading them up in the Chairman’s and weakening badly. He wanted to over race last start, and the 2500m looks a big query here. Drawn the car park, and I’m happy to leave him out.

9. Saint Tropez (17) – $41
Jockey – Beau Mertens 56.5kg
Trainer – Lloyd Kennewell

Was no match for Harleymoven two back in the Port Adelaide Guineas, before an improved effort in the Chairman’s Stakes last start. Hard to see him turning the tables on Jungle Magnate/Harleymoven, let alone a few others here, but he’s not the worst.

10. Water Into Wine (7) – $41
Jockey – Barend Vorster 56.5kg
Trainer – Tony & Calvin McEvoy

Ran ok at Sale two back in a class 3, before scraping home at Geelong last start, under the big weight. Although that form may not be the strongest here, he has good ability, and should get a nice run throughout the race, from the good draw. The 2500m may be a little query, but if he can stay it out, he’ll be thereabouts.

11. Yaphet (13) – $19
Jockey – Ben Allen 56.5kg
Trainer – Cliff Brown

On the quick 7 day back-up here, after motoring home at Caulfield last Saturday, to finish 4th to Elzamee. His win prior to that was good, where he beat a smart one, and he wasn’t far away behind Detonator Jack three runs back. On his last run, the 2500m looks ideal, and if the tempo is on up front, he looks one of the main winning hopes.

12. King Of Pharaohs (16) – $71
Jockey – Callan Murray 56.5kg
Trainer – Roslyn Day


Bolted in at Bendigo first up over 1500m, before a below par performance at Warrnambool last start. He wasn’t far away in the Geelong Classic last year, suggesting he has the ability to mix it with these horses, but from the wide gate, it’s hard to have him in the numbers.

13. Claidheamh Mor (18) – $41
Jockey – Joe Bowditch 56.5kg
Trainer – Gemma Rielly

Good win last start in class 2 company at Mornington, but steps up to 2500m at G1 level now, which looks a big leap. Would be a surprise to see him get the chocolates here.

14. Sebastian The Fox (20) – $101
Jockey – Jake Noonan 56.5kg
Trainer – Shay Keating

Won a Kilmore BM58 with 63kg two starts ago, before finishing 0.6L behind Water Into Wine last start. Not sure that is the right form for this, and the outside barrier all but seals his fate.

15. Phere The Ex (6) – $61
Jockey – Luke Nolen 56.5kg
Trainer – Ben & JD Hayes

Knuckled down hard to win his maiden two starts ago, before a solid effort in the Chairman’s last start, behind Jungle Magnate. Finished 3rd in the Geelong Classic last year, and looks one of the better roughies in this field.

16. Lady Chant (5) – $71
Jockey – Kayla Crowther 56.5kg
Trainer – Brock Lewthwaite

WA Oaks winner, who got back and did little in the Australasian Oaks here two weeks ago. The step up in trip looks ideal, as she is a winner over 2400m, but she needs to find on her most recent effort.

17e. Texas Tea (10) – $51
Jockey – Ethan Brown 56.5kg
Trainer – Ciaron Maher & David Eustace

Former Kiwi galloper who ran well at his Australian debut, albeit in weaker grade. Untried at the trip, and although he comes from an astute yard, it’s hard to see him winning this.

18e. Turfie (9) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Patrick Keane

*This horse will not run in the South Australian Derby.*

Got his maiden out of the way last start at Werribee over 2000m. Has ability, but this looks a throw at the stumps.


19e. Bring The Stars (14) – SCRATCHED
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – Robbie Griffiths & Mathew de Kock

*This horse will not run in the South Australian Derby.*

Steps up a long way in grade here, after finishing 3rd in BM58 company last start. Looks as though the extended journey may be to his liking, but would need to find on recent form.

20e. Six Foot Song (2) – SCRATCHED 
Jockey – N/A 56.5kg
Trainer – John Macmillan

*This horse will not run in the South Australian Derby.*

Won a Murray Bridge maiden last start over 1800m. Hard to see that form lining up in this, if he is to gain a start.

Final Word

This year’s South Australian Derby has brought together a capacity field, full of in-form 3YO’s. Last week’s Morphettville meeting seemed very leader-biased, and one can only hope this week’s track races a bit more genuine. There looks no lack of speed in this race, and as such, every horse should get their chance to take out the G1 feature.

Godolphin galloper, Alegron, has really hit form in his last couple of outings. He ran a gallant 3rd in the ATC Derby at Randwick behind Hitotsu, before a dominant win last start in the VRC St Leger. He should enjoy a nice run from the good gate, and Damien Oliver gets a grand opportunity to make it G1 win number 128.

Murray Bridge trained gelding, Harleymoven, is in a purple patch of form leading into this. He destroyed his rivals in the Port Adelaide Guineas, before coming from a long way back, and wide, to finish 2nd in the Chairman’s Stakes last start. He looks as though he’ll stay the journey, and has a dynamite turn of foot.


Detonator Jack is looking to keep his unbeaten record intact here, and add another ‘Jack’ to the honour roll of this race. He’s continued to improve as the distances get longer, and the 2500m should be no worries here. He will snag back from the wide gate, and be strong late.

Blackfriars gelding, Yaphet, and last start Chairman’s Stakes winner, Jungle Magnate, look the other main hopes in the race, and a win from either of them wouldn’t shock.

Best South Australian Derby Tip: 1. Alegron – Win ($2.90)
South Australian Derby numbers: 1-5-6-11

If you need more news, information and tips, head over to our South Australian Derby page for all your punting needs!

*Odds correct at time of writing, courtesy of Dabble.