Group 1 racing for the Adelaide Autumn Racing Carnival continues at Morphettville on Saturday with the 2024 South Australian Derby where visiting Victorian filly Coco Sun is tipped to beat home the boys.

Coco Sun is favourite to salute in the 2024 South Australian Derby at Morphettville this weekend. Photo: Jenny Barnes.

A class field of three-year-old stayers is gathered for the $1 million South Australian Derby (2500m) including the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained favourite Coco Sun.

The nicely-bred daughter of The Autumn Sun is currently drawn barrier 10 in the capacity South Australian Derby field but could come into eight of 16 if all emergencies come out.

Jamie Kah has the ride on the four-time winner who comes off a devastatingly close third only a neck off Vibrant Sun at the track in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 27.

On the quick back-up taking on the colts and geldings now she is expected to relish the extra distance having run a competitive fifth to Zardozi at Flemington in the spring’s Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m).

The latest South Australian Derby betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have Coco Sun at $4.40 and firming to become the first filly to salute in the event since Qafila (2019).

There are currently four other three-year-olds at single-figure South Australian Derby odds to salute on Saturday including Warmonger ($6.50) and Antrim Coast ($6.50) equally occupying the second line of betting.

The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained Warmonger is a son of War Decree who comes off back-to-back runs at the course when second in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) before a last star fifth in last Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m).

He was only a length beaten in the Chairman’s and looks like the improver out of that race with time for jockey Damian Lane to overcome the wide alley (14) in the Group 1.

Antrim Coast drew better with gate six and Michael Dee will partner Stephen Marsh’s ultra-consistent Kiwi raider.

The Roc De Cambes gelding from across the Tasman was runner-up to Orchestral in the Group 1 NZ Derby (2400m) in March before travelling down under to score a narrow upset at 40/1 in Moonee Valley’s Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m).

He was game again at Caulfield on April 6 narrowly beaten over 2400m and looks a genuine shot at the 2500m Group 1 in Adelaide now.

Patrick Payne’s Chairman’s Stakes winner Bold Soul ($8) and the Chris Waller-trained Almanzor filly Ahuriri ($8) coming off a big 2.25 length Listed VRC St Leger win over 2800m at Flemington on ANZAC Day complete the runners under $10 in the markets.

The 2024 South Australian Derby is scheduled as Morphettville Race 8 at 4:05pm (ACST) and full markets courtesy of Ladbrokes.com.au can be found here.

2024 South Australian Derby Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia. 

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