2023 South Australian Derby preview & best bets | Saturday, May 13

The Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) headlines a bumper program at Morphettville on Saturday afternoon. A capacity field of 16 three-year-olds will duke it out for the $500,000 on offer with the chance to etch their name into equine immortality with a Group 1 Classic win.

Lone filly She’s Fit leads the way following a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks, while a heavy form reference for the event looks to come from the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes.

2023 South Australian Derby odds

Having been beaten by a half-head in the Australasian Oaks, it is no surprise that the Daniel Morton-trained She’s Fit is a $4.80 favourite with online bookmakers. Having smashed his rivals over 2200m in the Bendigo St Leger Trial, Promises Kept ($6.50) looks the clear danger. Group 1 performers Suizuro and Aberfeldie Boy (both $8) are the only other runners with a single-figure quote in the lead-up to Saturday’s Group 1.

2023 South Australian Derby speed map

The speed map looks to be pretty straightforward on Saturday. With Suizuro drawn the carpark, Opie Bosson will look to cross the field and lead the field up. Captain Pluto, She’s Fit, Promises Kept and Loco look set to take a sit just off the speed. Look for the likes of Bengal Boy, Reservoir Dog and Aberfeldie Boy to soak up the tempo from the rear of the field and be making their charge to the line late on.

Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for 2023 South Australian Derby.

2023 South Australian Derby preview & form

How can you go past the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace barn in South Australian Group 1 races at the moment? Promises Kept has clearly been bought off the Greg Eurell yard with an eye to taking out this event, and he looks raring to go for his new stable. He put 3.25 lengths on his rivals in the Bendigo St Leger Trial, holding a prominent spot throughout and then quickly putting the race to bed early in the home straight. The gelded son of Cluster draws to gain a beautiful run in transit under ‘Group 1’ Mark Zahra, and if he can land the one-one or three pairs back in the running line, the race might well be over sooner rather than later.

She’s Fit is the one Promises Kept will most likely have to beat. The Pride Of Dubai filly was nothing short of impressive over in Perth before her run in the Australasian Oaks, including a win in the Group 3 WA Oaks over 2400m before finishing the best part of two lengths off Awesome John in the Group 2 WATC Derby. She is one of just a few horses proven at this trip, but from barrier 13 and given how far back she will be upon settling, it might just be too much ground that she needs to make up. If she is within striking distance going into the home straight, her turn of foot will have her fighting out the finish; however, at the price, we’re happy to take her on.

Fresh off a nine-week break, Dunkel is clearly the best each-way hope in the race. He pulled up lame after running ninth in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes on March 18, and although he needs to bridge a three-length differential on Suizuro, the Patrick Payne runner looks a smarter play out of those two in the SA Derby. Dunkel has an electric turn of foot for a stayer, and considering he has five wins and a second from his seven career starts, his will to win is second to none in Saturday’s race. If he can be in front of She’s Fit on the home turn, Dunkel could be the one to spoil favourite backers’ hopes.

Both Aberfeldie Boy and Suizuro have placed at Group 1 level — in the VRC Derby and Australian Derby, respectively — and if they run up to those efforts on Saturday, they cannot be ruled out. Loco, Red Sun Sensation and High Approach all have genuine claims in what is an open edition of the South Australian Derby.

2023 South Australian Derby selections & best bets

• 9

  PROMISES KEPT

• 16

  SHE’S FIT

• 3

  DUNKEL

• 2

  ABERFELDIE BOY

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