2025 South Australian Derby Day Preview

We’re back at Morphettville again this Saturday with more feature racing as the Group 1 South Australian Derby headlines the program. 

The $1m staying feature for the three year olds see a full field vie for honours as they look to have their names etched in the history books. 

Run at Listed level, the Port Adelaide Cup and Adelaide Guineas will also be contested on the day and we’ve done the form for all nice races on the card. 

Global Eclipse could not have been more impressive when scoring his maiden win last start and he looks set for bigger and better things.

Placed at his first three outings, the Price / Kent trained three year old has shown good improvement on each occasion and relishing the rise to 2025m last time, he cleared out to post a six-length margin on the line, under a hold. 

The form around him is proving to be solid and he looks well placed to make it back to back wins under Ben Melham. 

2 units – GLOBAL ECLIPSE

Albertville has now made it two wins and a second placing from his three starts and he looks to have a bright future.

Beaten only half a length on debut back November, the Ilovethiscity gelding then spent over a year away from the track and returned in fine order to salute over 1100m at Kyneton.

He was given a seven week freshen up before again proving too good over 1200m at Mornington. 

Back slightly in trip here, he looks suited and with luck off the wide draw, I think he’ll be hard to beat.    

1 unit – ALBERTVILLE

Savagery Vibe kicked off her campaign with a narrow victory over 1000m at Pakenham and she’ll be better for the run.

A daughter of Brutal, the filly won well on debut in August last year before contesting the Group 2 Danehill Stakes and Listed Crocket Stakes.

Beaten less than three lengths in the Danehill, it was a fine effort as she was closing off strongly before running out of room over the final 100m.

She just tired late in the Crockett Stakes but only finished 2.25 length of Certain Rise and was subsequently spelled.

She’s come back in top order and looks to have plenty of upside.

Mark Zahra stays in the saddle for Nick Ryan and with the winkers going on, I think she’ll prove too good for them. 

1 unit – SAVAGERY VIBE

Under The Cone comes off a gritty last start victory over 1400m at Balaklava and I think he’ll relish the rise to the mile here.

Prepared by Richard and Chantelle Jolly, the Starcraft gelding just looked to peak on his run late when resuming over the shorter trip but he hit the line strongly last time, showing plenty of determination to get his head down where it counted. 

He hasn’t always had the best of luck but he’s an improving type and I think he’ll continue to rise through the grades.

Mark Zahra jumps aboard for the first time and he’s set to receive every chance from the low draw. 

1 unit – UNDER THE CONE

The Golden Fist has been racing well since joining the Garrett Lynch yard and he lines up here off a determined last start win.

Placed in all three runs prior, the gelding didn’t have the best of luck in the straight over the mile at Balaclava last time but still found enough over the final part to get his nose down on the line. 

He steps out to 1800m for the first time and the way he’s been finding the line suggests the rise in trip will suit.

Connor Murtagh has built a great affinity with the four year old, he stays in the saddle and gate six should see him afforded every chance.

1 unit – THE GOLDEN FIST

Silent Surrente didn’t have a lot go her way last start but she’d been racing in terrific form prior.

Runner up in both the Listed Premiers Plate and Group 3 Lord Reims she then went on to score the biggest win of her career to date as she proved superior in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup. 

She settled further back off a slow start last time in the Roy Higgins, she got racing keenly and as a result didn’t finish off as strongly as expected.

She does rise in the weights here but should find this easier and she loves it here at her home track.

Rochelle Milnes knows how to get the best out of her and she reunites with her here in the Port Adelaide Cup.

1 unit – SILENT SURRENTE

On Display was only beaten half a length last start in the Queen of The South and with clear running, she certainly would have made it very interesting.

Held up for much of the straight, she darted through late to grab fourth and it was a tough watch if you were on her.

A daughter of Fastnet Rock, the filly has shown good ability in her seven starts to date and she has been stakes placed on two occasions.

She looks to have come back bigger and better this time in and  gets a senior rider back aboard here with Ben Melham to do the steering.

1 unit – ON DISPLAY

Lavalier closed off strongly last start to the Chairmans and I think he’ll relish getting out to 2500m here in the 2025 South Australian Derby.

The Godolphin galloper showed plenty of promise early on but then just wasn’t finishing off his races as well as expected. 

A gelding procedure prior to this preparation looks like it may have had the desired effect as he’s hit the strongly at his past two starts.

Jamie Melham has partnered him at his past three outings, she sticks with him and if the pair can find cover early off the wide gate I think he’ll be powering over the top of them late. 

1 unit – LAVALIER

Hajra has finished off nicely in both runs back in stronger company this preparation and she looks ideally placed here with the slight rise to 1200m.

The Zoustar mare has put together a tidy record and after beginning her career in Sydney with the Snowden’s, she’s really settled into life well here in SA. 

The form around her is solid, she drops back from stakes grade and with 54kgs on her back, I think she’ll be hard to beat. 

1 unit – HAJRA