This Saturday, Morphettville Racecourse explodes with the 2024 South Australian Derby. But forget the usual suspects. This year, the fillies are out to steal the show. Dunkel, the Tasmanian Derby champ, might be the favourite, but there’s a whisper in the wind. Could Coco Sun, with her winning streak, be the filly to break the Derby’s colts-only dominance?

Promises Kept is breathing down Dunkel’s neck, while Aberfeldie Boy and A Samurai Mind lurk with hidden potential. Who will emerge from the pack?

• Date: Saturday, May 4th, 2024
• Location: Morphettville Racecourse
• Distance: 2500 Meters
• Conditions: Set weights
• Status: Group 1
• Prize Money: $1,000,000 AUD

Runners

1. Antrim Coast (6) – Group 2 winner. Going well. Last start 2nd of 13 at Caulfield in the LR 3yo SWP on April 6 over 2400m, slow going head behind Gold Wolf with 59kg at $3. The race before that favourite; came from midfield and won by a nose at Moonee Valley G2 Alister Clark March 23 over 2040m defeating Quintessa carrying 57kg at $51. Well placed to take this out.

2. Sunsets (3) – Group 1 placegetter. Useful colt. At the latest run second last of 9 at Mornington Hcp on April 20 over 2000m, slow going 7 len behind Arran Bay carrying 54kg at $4.50. The start before that 5th of 13 at Caulfield in the LR 3yo SWP on April 6 over 2400m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind Gold Wolf with 59kg at $3.50. Disappointing last start but a real chance today.

3. Air Assault (13) – Group 3 winner. Form hard to fault. At the latest run set the pace for much of the race 3rd of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 0.6 len behind Bold Soul with 57.5kg at $4. The race before that won by a nose at this track LR Pt A Gneas April 13 over 1800m defeating Warmonger with 57.5kg at $2.30. Has the ability to be in the finish.

4. Bold Soul (12) – Group 3 winner. Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 10 at this track in the LR Pt A Gneas on April 13 over 1800m, 2 len behind Air Assault with 57.5kg at $7. Last start ran on from midfield and won by 0.6 len at this track G3 Chairmans April 27 over 2000m defeating Just Berrilliant carrying 57.5kg at $4. Last-start winner who can measure up again.

5. Gold Wolf (1) – Useful type. Last start won by a head at Caulfield LR 3yo SWP April 6 over 2400m on a soft track defeating Antrim Coast with 57kg at $41. Before that 7th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm64 on March 6 over 2400m, 3.5 len behind Son Of Solly with 59.5kg at $4. Genuine contender under these conditions.

6. Glad You Think So (15) – Group 1 placegetter. Dual acceptor. Useful type. At the latest run rolled along in front before being edged out 3rd of 12 at Randwick in the G1 Atc Derby on April 6 over 2400m, in the wet; 4.5 len behind Riff Rocket carrying 56.5kg at $81. The start before that 7th of 14 at Rosehill in the G2 Tulloch on March 30 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Wymark carrying 56kg at $14. Made headway last time. Top chance.

7. Warmonger (14) – Useful type. Last start 5th of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 1.1 len behind Bold Soul carrying 57.5kg at $2.80. The start before that 2nd of 10 at this track in the LR Pt A Gneas on April 13 over 1800m, nose behind Air Assault with 57.5kg at $6.50. Thereabouts last start and should be competitive.

8. Outovstock (18) – Group 3 winner. Useful type. At the latest run won by 2.25 len at Trentham G3 Manawatu Clssc April 6 over 2100m on a soft track defeating Investigate carrying 57kg at $18.60. The start before that 2nd of 10 at Tauranga Rating 65 on March 23 over 2100m, in the wet; 7 len behind Amberite carrying 58kg at $6. Last-start winner worth including

9. A Samurai Mind (5) – Last start 2nd of 12 at Morphettville Parks Bm80 on April 20 over 1950m, long-neck behind Hoops with 54kg at $2.80. The run before that favourite; won by 1.3 len at Morphettville Parks 3yo Bm72 April 6 over 1550m defeating Cherokee Miss with 58kg at $2. In the finish most recently but fully tested here.

10. Shinjuku (2) – Useful type. At the latest run 7th of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 1.5 len behind Bold Soul carrying 57.5kg at $9.50. The run before that 8th of 14 at Moonee Valley in the G2 Alister Clark on March 23 over 2040m, 3.5 len behind Antrim Coast with 57kg at $51. Thereabouts last time out. Definite top-three prospect.

11. Just Berrilliant (7) – Group 3 placegetter. Most recently 2nd of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 0.6 len behind Bold Soul with 57.5kg at $81. The race before that came from midfield and won by 1.3 len at Pakenham Mdn-Sw April 11 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Defense Tycoon with 59kg at $8. Thereabouts last start but looks tested this time.

12. Tulsa King (17) – Dual acceptor. Most recently 4th of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 0.7 len behind Bold Soul with 57.5kg at $13. The race before that made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Pakenham Bm64 on April 11 over 1600m, slow going nose behind Smokin’ Princess with 58.5kg at $5. Not far from the winner last time but this is a tough assignment.

13. Steel Blaze (8) – Most recently 6th of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 1.3 len behind Bold Soul carrying 57.5kg at $51. The start before that got back early 8th of 14 at Rosehill in the G2 Tulloch on March 30 over 2000m, 5 len behind Wymark carrying 56kg at $51. Genuine chance on the back of the last effort.

14. Warialda Warrior (16) – Most recently 8th of 12 at this track in the G3 Chairmans on April 27 over 2000m, 2 len behind Bold Soul carrying 57.5kg at $61. The run before that raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 10 at this track in the LR Pt A Gneas on April 13 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Air Assault with 57.5kg at $17. Not far from the winner last time but this is a tough assignment.

15. Coco Sun (10) – Group 1 placegetter. Going well. Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 16 at this track in the G1 A’asian Oaks on April 27 over 2000m, head behind Vibrant Sun carrying 56kg at $8.50. The race before that ran on from midfield and won by 3 len at Bendigo Bm70 April 13 over 1600m defeating New York Hurricane with 54.5kg at $4.50. Put the writing on the wall last time.

16. Ahuriri (11) – Last start won by 2.25 len at Flemington LR Vrc St Leger April 25 over 2800m defeating Alma Rise with 56kg at $3.50. The race before that eased back early on 8th of 16 at Randwick in the G3 Adrianknox on April 6 over 2000m, on rain affected going; 6 len behind Good Banter with 53kg at $7.50. Hard to imagine a top-three finish.

17. Zakouma (4) – Dual acceptor. Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 4th of 13 at Caulfield in the LR 3yo SWP on April 6 over 2400m, on a slow track; 2.5 len behind Gold Wolf carrying 57kg at $41. The run before that came from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Bairnsdale Bm64 on March 24 over 2200m, 0.8 len behind Inthelapofthegods carrying 57kg at $2.50. Thereabouts last time but others are preferred.

18. Maputo (19) – Dual acceptor. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 at Flemington in the LR Vrc St Leger on April 25 over 2800m, 5 len behind Ahuriri carrying 58kg at $14. The race before that 6th of 13 at Caulfield in the LR 3yo SWP on April 6 over 2400m, slow going 4.5 len behind Gold Wolf with 57kg at $21. Will need plenty of improvement to feature.

19. Just Explosive (9) – Last start 4th of 9 at Seymour Mdn-Sw on April 19 over 2000m, 4 len behind Kowhai carrying 59kg at $17. The race before that second last of 10 at Pakenham Mdn-Sw on April 11 over 1600m, slow going 12 len behind Just Berrilliant with 59kg at $3. Prefer to watch at this stage.

Our tips for the day!

Group 2 winner ANTRIM COAST (1) went forward and battled on okay into second place last time out over 2400m at Caulfield. Should give a sight again today. Group 3 winner AIR ASSAULT (3) sat on the speed and battled on okay into third place last time out over 2000m at this track. Expected to give a bold sight again. Group 1 place getter COCO SUN (15) finished in the money last start running third at this track and should strip fitter for past attempts, each way chance. Group 1 place getter GLAD YOU THINK SO (6) placed third by 4.5 lengths last start at Randwick and should race on the speed, looks a place chance. SHINJUKU (10) made progress finishing midfield last start at this track tackles a longer journey, worthy of a place.

Tips: (1)-(3)-(15)-(6)-(10)