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The Emma-Lee & David Browne trained Statuario is clear favourite in betting on the South Australian Derby 2025 this weekend at Morphettville with the popular grey looking to go back-to-back.

This year’s Group 1 $1 million South Australian Derby (2500m) has drawn a typically classy field of late autumn staying types and the money is on Statuario to salute after a good Black-Type win at Caulfield last time out.

The son of D’Argento was strong over the mile and a half in the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) saluting as the odds-on elect by over two lengths with 57kg on April 5.

That was a confidence boosting win for the up-and-comer after his Australian Guineas flop running 14th over the Flemington mile two back before an improved run in Moonee Valley’s Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes when third to Shanwah over 2040m.

Shanwah went on to frank that form with an ATC Derby third and now it is Statuario’s turn back up in Group 1 grade on the weekend in SA.

Statuario leads the updated SA Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au on the capacity final field paying $3.30 for the win after coming up trumps with barrier three for local jockey John Allen who chases his fifth win in the race.

The danger occupying the second line of betting at $5 is Lavalier in the Godolphin blue silks for trainer James Cummings.

In-form jockey Jamie Melham has the ride continuing associations with the progressive Microphone gelding who comes off back-to-back seconds.

At his latest here at the Morphettville track he was narrowly beaten running under a half-length off the winner Athanatos in the Group 3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) last weekend, a race that has been a solid form line to follow into the Derby over the years.

Jamie Melham chases successive victories in the race having partnered Coco Sun to salute in last year’s event.

Despite attracting a capacity field, there is just one other runner currently at single figure South Australian Derby odds for the win with American Wolf at $7.

The in-form Tivaci gelding is prepared by Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young and comes into the Group 1 chasing a hat-trick.

Two back he carted 59kg from a wide alley to win at Ballarat over 2000m as the favourite before getting the job done again at Flemington in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) to prove his staying abilities.

He suits his barrier 11 draw in the big one on the weekend, comes back to 56.5kg and has Mark Zahra booked to ride in another plus.

Zahra, who won the SA Derby back in 2022 on Jungle Magnate, had a blinder here last weekend taking out the Group 1 double with winning rides in the Australasian Oaks on Benagil and the Robert Sangster on Charm Stone in an impressive upset.

Trainer Ciaron Maher won in partnership with David Eustace in 2021 with Explosive Jack and returns in 2025 on his own saddling-up a livewire hope in Saint Emilion ($11).

The son of Snitzel is on the quick back-up after a fourth in the Chairman’s only two lengths beaten as a 30/1 outsider and has Todd Pannell coming aboard this weekend in gate seven.

The bookies are also taking no chances with the second emergency Global Eclipse who is at 10/1 at time of publish despite needing some luck to make the starting line-up.

The classy Pierata colt from the Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr yard was last seen winning a Cranbourne maiden on April 18 stamping himself as an up-and-comer to watch when carrying 59kg to an emphatic six length win over 2025m.

Other longer priced chances chasing the upset include Lindsay Park‘s filly Chase Your Dreams looking to go back-to-back for the girls, the spring’s VRC Derby hero Goldrush Guru out to return to his better form, and Politely Dun who ran second to Saturday’s favourite last start – all at $15 at time of publish.

The 2025 Thomas Farms South Australian Derby is set to run as Morphettville Race 8 at 4:05pm (local ACST) / 4:35pm (AEST).

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