Transact earns a shot at South Australian Derby after all the way win in VRC St Leger

April 26, 2019

Transact earns a shot at South Australian Derby after all the way win in VRC St Leger

A brilliant front running display by Transact to win the Listed $200,000 VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Thursday has earned the three year old a trip to Adelaide for the South Australian Derby.

Transact, above, leads all of the way to win the 2019 VRC St Leger at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Transact, above, leads all of the way to win the 2019 VRC St Leger at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Transact is now a $9 chance at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on May 11.

“We’re going to South ­Australia and win the Derby,” Waterhouse said.

“We’re down to go on Wednesday off to Adelaide.”

Melbourne based jockey Luke Currie had no hesitation in taking Transact straight to the front and the Dundeel gelding was never headed after leading the large field of three year olds out of the straight the first time.

Transact struggled to show any potential early on in his career but gave the owners a glimpse of his staying ability once Waterhouse and Bott stepped him up distance.

Transact scored his maiden win in a 2125m Class 1 and Maiden Plate at Cessnock in September last year and then made it two wins in a row with a victory in a similar class race over 2320m at Newcastle a couple of weeks latest.

“All he could do was stay and he could not win,” Waterhouse said.

“He was running last … (but) the further the ­distance we gave him, the more he improved.”

“But the more we stepped him up in distance, the more he improved and then everybody believed in him.”

Transact failed to beat a runner home when he resumed for this campaign in a 1600m Newcastle Class 2 but then found form quickly when the stable stepped him up in distance with three placings in the lead up to the VRC St Leger.

Waterhouse is also contemplating a return to Melbourne to gain a ballot exemption from the 2019 Melbourne Cup by winning the Listed $400,000 The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at Flemington on May 25.

“We certainly would want to win the Andrew Ramsden, and I said that to Adrian,” Waterhouse said.

“We’re thinking about it.”

The 2019 Group 1 $7.3m Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) will be run at Flemington on November 5.

The Phillip Stokes trained Mr Quickie is the early favourite for the South Australian Derby at $4.20 ahead of Grinzinger Star at $5.50 and Declarationofheart at $7.

Early betting for the 2019 South Australian Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4.20 Mr Quickie, $5.50 Grinzinger Star, $7 Declrationofheart, $7.50 Chapada, $9 Extra Brut, Savvy Oak, Secret Blaze, Transact, $13 Stars Of Carrum, Tarwin, $15 Classic Wei Wei, Star Missile, $17 Declares War, $26 Alessandro, Approach Discreet, Budd Fox, Dealmaker, Galahad Guru, Kaplumpich, Snipes, Tongsai Boss, $31 or better the rest.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Z...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pr...

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

Pride Of Jenni was enormous running her rivals ragged with a blistering...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results:...

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Dublin Down is into Saturday week’s 2024 Golden Slipper field after a gutsy...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results:...

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

Celestial Legend put the writing on the wall for a huge year ahead with the...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results...

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Top honours in the 2024 Canterbury Stakes results at Royal Randwick went to...

Race Results

2024 Coolmore Classic Winner Zougotcha Dives Late to Salute

2024 All-Star Mile Results: Pride Of Jenni Beats Mr Brightside by 2 Lengths

2024 Pago Pago Stakes Results: McEvoy’s Dublin Down on Golden Slipper Bid

Randwick Guineas 2024 Results: Celestial Legend Nudges out Militarize on the Line

2024 Canterbury Stakes Results: Lady Laguna Upsets Think About It, Espiona Third

Race Previews

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Magic Night Winner Drifting Firms in Golden Slipper 2024 Betting

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

Fields & Form

2024 Golden Slipper Stakes Field & Barriers: Storm Boy Draws Two

Zougotcha Heads 2024 Coolmore Classic Field & Odds

2024 All-Star Mile Field & Betting Update: Mr Brightside Odds-On

2024 Adelaide Cup Field & Betting Update: The Map Leads the Way

2024 Randwick Guineas Field & Odds Update: Militarize Set to Strike Second-Up