Three shots at South Australian Derby 2024 success
An alteration to the programming for the South Australian Derby has led to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable requiring a change of planning with tAn alteration to the programming for the South Australian Derby has led to the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable requiring a change of planning with their trio of runners.
Price and Kent Jnr won the Group 1 South Australian Derby over 2500m at Morphettville two years ago with Jungle Magnate using the Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) as their lead-up run.
That race was run two weeks before the Derby and it enabled Jungle Magnate to travel back to their stable to prepare for the bigger assignment.
For this year’s Derby to be run on Saturday, Price and Kent Jnr will be represented by Warmonger, Shinjuku and Tulsa King.
All three also contested the Chairman’s Stakes, which was run at Morphettville last Saturday, and required the trio to remain in Adelaide at the stables of Chris Bieg.
Price said it was not ideal the way the programming worked, but he said all three geldings were in good order for Saturday’s race.
“They had a trip to the beach on Wednesday and they’re all bright and bouncy,” Price said.
“They’ve all been set for it, but it’s come up a much harder race than what we thought.
“The fillies are backing up into it and it’s not a bad race. The St Leger winner Ahuriri is there, that’s usually good form when they drop back from that race, Coco Sun and Jamie Kah, they look like the trip will be OK.
“I suppose Bold Soul might improve a bit and you’ve got an Australian Derby placegetter, Glad You Think So, in there as well.
“But our horses are all fit and well and I’m sure they’ll run at their best.”
Price considers Warmonger the best of the trio and took the blinkers off the gelding after his fifth placed finish last week.
The trainer was hoping for a mid-range drew.
“But we got 14, or 12 if the emergencies don’t get a start,” Price said.
“I didn’t want him pulling when they slacken off the speed, especially at the 2500 metres, so I was hoping it might enable him to jump a bit better and be a bit closer.
“I’m not sure what to do with Tulsa King (from 17).
“After his last start, I was hoping to draw a gate and go forward on him, but he’s there to run well.
“Shinju is one-paced. Hopefully he sticks the trip and gets a good run from the gate (two).”
More Racing News
Antino up for G1 Kingsford Smith Cup challenge
Tony Gollan knows this Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup will be the toughest test of Antino’s career, but he is confident the five-year-old can be a factor in the $1 million event. Queensland’s leading trainer has described the 1300-metre event, one of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm this Saturday, as the race...
Selino prepares for Brisbane Cup title defence
Finding suitable races for a dour stayer at this time of year is a challenge for even Australia’s most accomplished horsemen, just ask Chris Waller. Waller has his sights set on Selino defending his Brisbane Cup crown but says working out how to get him there has required a bit of novel...
Queensland tilt among the options for Neasham 2YO
A belated shot at the Brisbane winter carnival is among the options for lightly raced filly Aemelius after she upstaged a handy field of two-year-olds to win the opening race at Randwick. Having just her second start, the Annabel Neasham-trained youngster, who started at $12 with betting sites, went back to last...
The Black Cloud descends on Randwick rivals
Having begun the day questioning how well The Black Cloud had come back this campaign, Joe Pride ended it by labelling her a stakes-class horse in the making. The Proven Thoroughbreds filly took her record to three wins from four starts with a rousing first-up victory in Saturday’s Taylor Construction Handicap (1000m)...
Scarlet Oak wins Roses to earn G1 Queensland Oaks favouritism
Chris Waller has labelled Scarlet Oak a “rising star” after the lightly raced filly staked her Group One Queensland Oaks claims with a classy win over stablemate Mare Of Mt Buller in the Doomben Roses. The filly has come a long way in a short time, making a winning debut in New Zealand in...
Sargent hoping Casual Connection can earn a Brisbane Cup berth
John Sargent is crossing his fingers that Casual Connection’s narrow victory at Randwick will give him a sufficient ratings boost to squeeze into the field for the Brisbane Cup. A renowned trainer of stayers, Sargent saddled up two runners in the two-mile race last year, Essential Sky who finished fifth and Outlandos ninth, and...
Le Ferrari leads home Lindsay Park quinella at Sandown
A return to Sandown has paid a dividend for Lindsay Park galloper Le Ferrari who led home a one-two finish for Ben, Will and J D Hayes. Le Ferrari over-ran stablemate Rheinberg to claim the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1400m) on Saturday. Ridden by Ben Allen, Le Ferrari ($10) overhauled Rheinberg ($7.50) in the final...
Bois D’Argent upsets rivals in G1 Doomben Cup
Trainer Annabel Neasham has landed a second victory in the Doomben Cup with a horse she said was well over the odds. Imported galloper Bois D’Argent held off a late bid from New Endeavour to follow the win of Zaaki for Neasham in 2021 in the Group 1 2000m weight-for-age contest. Ridden by Blake...
Timely Sandown double for Dan O’Sullivan
The Ballarat stable of Dan O’Sullivan is enjoying a purple patch of form in the metropolitan area which has included a race-to-race double at Sandown. O’Sullivan welcomed back to the winner’s enclosure Way Up High in the Sportsbet Photo Finish Handicap (2400m) before Matriarch Rose took out the Stow Solutions Handicap (1600m) on Saturday. The...
Trip test next for Lady In Pink
A return to Sandown has brought out the best in the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Lady In Pink who will now be stepped up in trip for a race at Flemington. Lady In Pink took out the Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1600m) on Saturday and will head to Flemington for a 2000m...