It has been a few years since the fillies were on top but the punters are coming for the Dan Morton-trained WA raider She’s Fit to beat home the boys at Morphettville in Saturday’s South Australian Derby 2023.

Chairman’s Stakes winner Red Sun Sensation backs up in the 2023 SA Derby field this weekend. Photo: Jenny Barnes.

A capacity field of young stayers faces off in the time-honoured Group 1 $502,250 Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) on the weekend with the in-form She’s Fit heading the markets at $4.40 through Ladbrokes.com.au.

The nicely-bred daughter of Pride Of Dubai is proven over the mile and a half having won the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) by a solid margin back home in late March.

She was then brave taking on the boys when third to Awesome John in the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) before travelling to Adelaide for her narrow last start second from a wide alley behind Affaire A Suivre in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on April 29.

This Saturday She’s Fit presents just that, rock-hard fit and ready to bounce back to winning form back over a trip from a better barrier with Chris Parnham coming aboard for the ride.

The danger occupying the second line of South Australian Derby betting is the early market mover Loco backed in from $8 to $5.50.

The So You Think gelding is prepared in Victoria by last year’s SA Derby winning trainers Mick Price & Michael Kent Junior.

He comes off three straight seconds including his close finish here a fortnight back in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m).

The Peter Moody-trained Chairman’s Stakes winner Red Sun Sensation is also in the mix for Saturday’s Group 1 paying $13 to do the double Jungle Magnate (2022) achieved last year.

The other key last start winner in the South Australian Derby field looking to make it three on the trot is the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Promises Kept ($6.50) drawn barrier nine for jockey Mark Zahra.

The son of Cluster has his first start for the Maher/Eustace stable on Saturday having been transferred from the care of Greg Eurell and races for the first time since his 3.25 length romp home at Bendigo in the St. Leger Trial (2200m) in early April.

Maher & Eustace prepared Explosive Jack for his 2021 SA Derby success and also saddle-up Ain’t He Grand ($27) from out wide in this year’s event.

Shorter in the markets at single-figures are the likes of ATC Derby / Chairman’s Stakes third place-getter Suizuro ($7) with the outside alley to overcome and the consistent Aberfeldie Boy ($9.50) who ran third in the VRC Derby last spring over this trip.

The 2023 South Australian Derby is set to run as Morphettville Race 7 at 3:12pm (ACST) on Saturday’s nine-race card with full markets from Ladbrokes.com.au available by clicking here.

2023 South Australian Derby Final Field & Barrier Draw

Table Credit: Racing Australia.