SA Derby

Winners and Past Results

One of the prestigious black type races hosted by the South Australian Jockey Club at the Morphettville Racetrack during the autumn racing carnival is the Group 1 South Australian Derby. Bonus $250 Bet That Can't Lose

The race is for three year old horses that trek over 2500 metres of Morphettville Racecourse in a bid to earn a purse worth $350,000. The set weight race has some of the best long distance gallopers and stayers take to the field where better performers are at an advantage.

The Group 3 Chairman's Stakes held at the same track a week earlier is usually a handy form guide for punters to pick out the best colts and geldings from the potential placegetters and winners. The Group 1 Australasian Oaks for fillies is another important event from where horses may vie for a place in the South Australian Derby. Since the derby is held later in autumn horses could tackle a number of other black type races on their way to this event.

The South Australian Derby has seen a number of Melbourne Cup prospects win the title as well. Subzero won both events in 1992 while winner of the 1991 SA Derby, Shivas Revenge, and Count Chivas in 1995 came close to winning the Melbourne Cup in the respective years.

The derby has a rich history with Midnight recorded as the first winner in 1860. The race has attracted a classy bunch of stayers over the years, which prompted the SAJC to elevate it to Group 1 in 1979. It has also been held under varying distances although it has remained a 2500 metre race since 2001.

2012 SA Derby

A fantastic ride from Damien Oliver helped Zabeelionaire win the Group 1 SA Derby over 2500 metres. Starting from barrier one, Oliver kept Zabeelionaire well back in the field and on the fence for the majority of the race. As the pace quickened with around 1000 metres to go, Zabeelionaire was moved forward, with Oliver weaving the colt around the early frontrunners who were now dropping back. In the straight, a gap opened up on the rails and Zabeelionaire was guided through it, steaming home to win by half a length over Sabrage while Westsouthwest did well to finish third after being caught wide for most of the race.

2012 SA Derby result

1. Zabeelionaire
2. Sabrage
3. Westsouthwest

Then came:

4. Strike The Stars
5. Tohunga
6. Lethal Jones
7. Alcohol
8. Heavens Riches
9. Backbone
10. Pelicano
11. Niconoise
12. Essence
13. Haroldhaut
14. Reign Of Terror
15. Southern Invasion
16. Cornell