Horse Racing

On Sunday Peter Snowden’s promising stayer Kidnapped claimed a tight victory in the $300,000 Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Allan Scott Park Morphettville in the gelding’s first start over 2000m.

Kidnapped began as the $4.60 favourite and beat home the close second-favourite, Red Colossus ($4.80) in the final strides by a long head, with roughie Sea Galleon ($14) in third a further half-length away.

Last start the three-year-old Viscount gelding Kidnapped ran third to Red Colossus in the Listed Chairman’s Stakes (2014m) but turned the tables on Sunday to give Snowden his first SA Derby success.

After only one of the four emergencies, Tuscan Fire, gained a start following the scratching of Sherpa Tenzing, a capacity 16 horse field took to the field with Kidnapped drawn in the extreme outside gate.

It was an impressive run by Kidnapped and local jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who celebrated his first Group 1 success in his home state on Sunday, as they managed to overcome the wide barrier 16 draw.

McEvoy was patient and the ride perfectly timed as he settled Kidnapped second last before shooting ahead after the turn when the field bunched.

Eventual third placegetter Sea Galleon held the lead on the straight but was unable to hold on as Kidnapped and Red Colossus outclassed them in the end, Kidnapped the first over the line.

Kidnapped has now won five of his 14 career starts and his South Australian Derby winnings elevated his prizemoney to $683,277.

Despite his impressive performance on Sunday, Kidnapped will now head to the paddock for a spell instead of continuing onto the Brisbane winter carnival races.

The other big event at Morphettville’s Super Sunday was the $300,000 Group 1 Goodwood (1200m) where Victorian raider Velocitea claimed an upset win ahead of local hero Catapulted.

A number of other great Morphettville Races races also filled the card, including the $200,000 Group 3 RA Lee Stakes (1600m) and the $100,000 Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) where Fairy Oak won.

2010 Betfair.com South Australian Derby Results