It is shaping up as an exciting edition of the South Australian Derby in 2020 with a trio of young stayers fighting for top spot in betting including the narrow top elect Dalasan.

Dalasan heads the 2020 South Australian Derby field and odds for Morphettville this Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

Due to run as Morphettville Race 8 continuing the elite level Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival action on Saturday, this season’s Group 1 $400,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) field attracted 14 three-olds.

Wearing the number one saddlecloth and drawn in barrier nine for jockey Jason Holder, the Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas-trained Dalasan is the firming $2.90 favourite in SA Derby betting through Ladbrokes.com.au.

The in-form Dalakhani colt chases a third win on the trot this campaign having won both the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and the Group 3 SA Chairman’s Handicap (2035m) in the lead-up to the Derby.

He was odds-on at Morphettville Parks on ANZAC Day for the Chairman’s and didn’t disappoint, the Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas-trained chestnut getting a chance to win over further than that for the first time on Saturday.

The danger occupying the second line of betting and already proven at the distance is the Anthony Freedman-trained VRC Derby champion from last November Warning ($4).

Jumping from gate three on Saturday with Damien Thornton to ride, Warning may not have won since the Flemington feature during the Cup Carnival but he looked good when third in the Chairman’s behind Dalasan and will relish the rise in distance for the rematch.

The third horse dominant in the markets following closely at $4.20 for the win is the untapped Danny O’Brien-trained Russian Camelot.

Drawn gate seven with dual SA Derby winning hoop John Allen in the saddle, the Camelot colt has had four career starts for two wins and a second in easier grade.

Saturday marks his acid test, but after a seven-length romp home carrying 61.5kg over the mile at Pakenham last time out, there is money coming for him to fly dropping back in weight for the Group 1.

Allen chases his third win in five years having ridden previous South Australian Derby winners Howard Be Thy Name (2016) and Volatile Mix (2017) to victory in the classic for trainer Darren Weir.

There are a trio of fillies taking on the boys in this year’s SA Derby field looking to go back-to-back for the girls following the success of Qafila in 2019 with the best fancied being Moonlight Maid at $13.

Mitchell Freedman’s well-bred Puissance De Lune filly is bred to stay and was good in the spring when runner-up in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m) and third in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

She is fourth-up this weekend getting out over a good distance on the back of a second to Toffee Tongue in last Saturday’s Group 1 Schweppes Oaks (2000m) and presents fit on the quick turnaround.

Click here for the latest South Australian Derby 2020 odds courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au.

2020 South Australian Derby Field & Barriers