Ciaron Maher & David Eustace’s upset ATC Derby champion Explosive Jack is firming favourite to complete a rare interstate double and salute for the punters in Saturday’s 2021 South Australian Derby at Morphettville.

ATC Derby champion Explosive Jack heads the 2021 South Australian Derby betting markets this weekend in Adelaide. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Kiwi-bred Jakkalberry colt went around at a big price on April 10 during Sydney’s ‘The Championships’ narrowly taking out the Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) from a wide alley (15 of 16) at Randwick at 20/1.

He won’t be found at that price in markets for this weekend’s Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m), Explosive Jack a $3 and firming fast through Ladbrokes.com.au.

Last year’s winning hoop John Allen retains the ride on the up-and-coming young stayer who is drawn in barrier 10 of 16 in the South Australian Derby field.

Explosive Jack showed great guts in winning the Group 1 over a similar distance last time out and, with an exciting late turn of foot, looks a huge chance to go back-to-back at elite level traveling to Adelaide.

Favourites in South Australian Derby betting have a wonderful recent record in the race with eight winning from 2006-2020, most recently Russian Camelot ($2.90 in 2020) last Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival.

The danger occupying the second line of South Australian Derby betting this year are co-$5 fancies Personal and Liqueuro drawn in barriers 16 and six respectively.

Winner of the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) in Melbourne on a quick five-day turnaround last November, the Tom Dabernig & Ben Hayes-trained Fastnet Rock filly Personal chases her first victory since.

She presents rock hard fit fifth-up this season and is on the short seven day turnaround having run second behind shock winner Media Award in last weekend’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at the track.

Sure to appreciate finally getting back out over 2500m for the first time since her own Oaks triumph, Personal came close last Saturday from barrier 15 of 16 and should have no problems slotting into a good position against the boys from the outside alley this weekend.

Jockey Damien Oliver sticks with Personal in the SA Derby field and is after his second win in the event following a 2012 victory aboard the Leon Corstens-trained Zabeelionaire.

The Lindsay Park stable won the SA Derby two years ago with smart filly Qafila (2019) and there’s month to suggest Personal can repeat the feat.

The Cindy Alderson-trained Liqueuro is the form horse in the race, the nicely-bred Fiorente gelding having won three of his past four starts.

He comes off back-to-back Melbourne wins in easier company having defeated Explosive Jack two back in the St Leger Trial (2200m) at Bendigo in late March before a win as the odds-on favourite carrying 59kg in the Listed Galilee Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 10.

This is a notable rise in grade, but he’s beaten the favourite and, bringing a different form into the event, is being kept safe in betting.

Despite the size of the field there’s just one other single-figure hopeful with Deepstrike at South Australian Derby odds of $8.

Damian Lane rides the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper from a nice mid-field barrier nine draw as the Tavistock gelding chases a third win from four starts.

He was good two back carrying 59kg to a two-length win over 1800m at Sandown before a last start eighth behind Royal Mile in the Group 3 Chairman’s here on April 24 that he’s out to atone for.

Click here for the latest South Australian Derby 2021 betting markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2021 South Australian Derby Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.