Single Choice shrugs off betting drift toward SA Derby

Single Choice might lack classic staying pedigree, yet he offers trainer Matt Cumani a realistic shot at his debut Group One with the South Australian Derby.

Out of speedy sire Anders, renowned for short-distance prowess, Single Choice showed his class by powering home to take the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

He began as strong favourite but eased in betting to jump at $5 third favourite with Jamie Mott riding, keeping the horse positioned externally to the leaders.

With a pedestrian early tempo, avenues opened prematurely and Single Choice accelerated away to prevail by 1-1/4 lengths ahead of Arabian Prince ($3.70) and $2.90 top pick Amazake, who suffered traffic issues and was blocked turning for home.

The Ballarat mentor, fresh from his breakthrough Group 2 Autumn Classic success earlier in the season, declared the performance enough to chase the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 2nd.

"I was very nervous about whether he'd get the trip, but he got a beautiful ride by Motty," Cumani said.

"No speed early, but they went pretty solid from the 800 (metres) out, even earlier than that and he had to sustain a pretty hard run.

"But he's got to be of that turn of foot and that's really valuable for a horse that can get a bit of a trip.

"I think we've got to go to Adelaide off that. This race was a bit of a test to see if he might get a derby distance, and even though it might not have been a solid run 2400 throughout, I think it's provided enough of a test to say that we can go there and give it a go."

Jamie Mott heaped praise on Single Choice's winning style, recalling the horse's rearward charge to Autumn Classic glory two starts ago.

"It was bit of a new scenario for him, and he adapted well, and I think if he takes his form today to the Derby, they'll know he's there for sure," Mott said.

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