Godolphin’s dual Group 1 Derby place-getter Alegron gets another chance this weekend with the last start VRC St Leger winning heading to Morphettville as favourite to win the 2022 South Australian Derby.

Dual Derby place-getter Alegron is tipped to win the 2022 South Australian Derby in Adelaide this weekend. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

A capacity field of three-year-olds does battle in Adelaide’s Group 1 $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) on Saturday and it is the James Cummings-trained Alegron heading the markets.

Coming into barrier two with the early scratching of Teewaters (1), the well-backed Teofilo gelding has Damien Oliver retaining the ride with the hoop chasing his first SA Derby success since victory aboard Zabeelionaire in 2012.

Oliver partnered Alegron at Flemington last start in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) on Anzac Day where the galloper saluted for the punters by over two lengths as the odds-on favourite.

That runaway win followed his close third at double-figures when under a length off the classy Hitotsu in Randwick’s Group 1 ATC Derby (2400m) in the wet on April 2.

A gun young stayer, Alegron was also in the money behind Hitotsu during the spring when second in the Group 2 Victoria Derby (2500m) at HQ.

With a host of good runs in elite company and the impressive last start triumph, things are looking good for Alegron to finally post his first Group race win this weekend.

The bookies agree and the favourite is at a current quote of $3.10 in South Australian Derby betting at Ladbrokes.com.au.

It is an open top half of the market with a further three hopefuls under double-figures for the win including the $4.40 second elect Detonator Jack.

Last year the powerhouse training partnership of Ciaron Maher & David Eustace won the SA Derby with Explosive Jack and they are back now with two confirmed runners as Detonator Jack is joined in the starting line-up by first emergency Texas Tea.

Irishman John Allen partners undefeated Jakkalberry gelding Detonator Jack from a wide draw (14 at time of publish), the champion jockey chasing his incredible fifth South Australian Derby success in seven years.

Allen has previously ridden SA Derby winners Howard Be Thy Name (2016), Volatile Mix (2017), Russian Camelot (2020) and last year’s champ Explosive Jack (2021) to victory.

On Saturday he jumps aboard another livewire chance with Detonator Jack three-from-three to date in easier company.

Last time out the up-and-comer was solid posting a 1.5 length victory at Sandown-Lakeside in a Benchmark 78 over 2100m and looks to have improvement rising in grade this weekend.

The early South Australian Derby market mover at $7 is Jungle Magnate for Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, the Kiwi-bred son of Tarzino coming off a lead-up win at the track.

Tenth in last year’s VRC Derby, he has been an improver this prep with two wins from his last three outings including a three-quarter length triumph over Harleymoven in Adelaide’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) on April 30.

That race has been a decent form line to follow into the Derby in recent years and there are a few punters keen to back Jungle Magnate to do the double this season.

Rounding out the single-figure fancies is the Chairman’s Stakes runner-up Harleymoven ($8) for Dan Clarken & Oophy MacGillivray.

The best fancied of the local hopes, the in-form Foxwedge gelding has an excellent record at the Morphettville track (6:2-3-0) including his four-length Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) win two back.

The 2022 South Australian Derby is set to run as Morphettville Race 8 at 3:52pm (ACST) on Saturday with the latest markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available in full here.

2022 South Australian Derby Final Field & Barriers

Table Credit: Racing Australia.