2025 South Australian Derby Day Tips & Preview

GLOBAL ECLIPSE (8) went around at odds-on two weeks ago at Cranbourne, giving the small field a galloping lesson when winning his maiden by six lengths. 

The colt by Pierata was previously placed in three starts at the midweek meetings in Melbourne, notably running second fresh to Belle Detelle, who has since gone on to run well in the Australian Oaks at Randwick more recently.  

With forward tactics expected again under Ben Melham, who retains the ride, it’s tough to find fault with this impressive three-year-old. 

ALBERTVILLE (5) has been given another week between runs after being scratched the morning of last Saturday. 

Well-backed fresh at Mornington to start the month, Clinton McDonald’s gelding did not disappoint, winning by half a length with a powerful turn of foot on full display. 

He’s only lightly raced, but there was a bit to like about that effort after sitting back early off the speed and looping up the field down the outside to win quite softly on the line.   

He’ll take big benefit away from that win, and with Jamie Melham retaining the ride, I think he’ll be very hard to hold out again, providing he isn’t wanting further now.   

LOVELY LOOKIN’ (2) makes her return to the races with a nice win at the trials to her name. 

We last saw Andrew Gluyas’ mare competing over 1200m in the Gytrash Final last November, where she was defeated close to two lengths by Sir Sway after getting a little wide out of the turn. 

By American Pharoah, this smart four-year-old ran a huge race fresh last year to win by over two lengths, and based on her recent trial effort, she should be revved up and ready to go over this short trip o

UNDER THE CONE (7) is a super honest type who continues to race well for Richard and Chantelle Jolly. 

The Starcraft four-year-old returned to the winner’s stall two weeks ago at Balaklava with a handy win, finding the centre of the track where he got a little sideways at one point, before regrouping to knuckle down before the line.  

The booking of Mark Zahra signals a bit of intent from the stable in my opinion, and he should find this a bit easier with 4.5kg off his back from an identical draw. Having won twice over the mile with two runs under his belt now, I’m pretty keen to stick with him. 

Don’t mind this at all for NAVY GOLD (6), who was held up badly on several occasions when searching for a run at Balaklava last start. 

He’s drawn poorly and is untried over 1800m, but I thought he showed plenty in the finish a few weeks ago to finish a very narrow second to The Golden Fist once he found some daylight down the centre of the straight.  

A back to back winner in easier company at Oakbank and Murray Bridge earlier this prep, he looks to be in safe hands with Jason Holder returning to the saddle. The pair just need to find cover early from out wide to be in with a shot. 

I think SILENT SURRENTE (1) might have a bit on the rest of this field when it comes to class. 

This mare by Fiorente has been kept fresh after contesting the Roy Higgins Final at Flemington in late March, a run that never really went according to plan after she spotted the field about 10 lengths early on. 

Before that, she won the Adelaide Cup by over a length, so there’s everything to suggest she can bounce back, providing she settles closer to the speed this time.   

I’ll give ON DISPLAY (9) another chance after a bit of a forgive run in the Queen Of The South last week. 

She’s starting to prove costly this filly, but the gaps just didn’t appear for her in time last week, held up badly for a run approaching the 100m mark, where she eventually got clear and charged the line in a blanket finish. 

Given that was her first look at the mile, I’ll be forgiving, although this isn’t any easier with the wide gate likely to challenge Ben Melham. Even so, her best is good enough to win it, and with even luck this time, she should be right there when it matters. 

STATUARIO (2) made it look easy when winning the Galilee Final at Caulfield just over a month ago, a race where he was well-backed and saluted comfortably for punters. 

He wasn’t really asked to do much over the final 50m, eased up for a soft win on that line that should have saved something in the tank for this minor rise to 2500m. 

To my eye, this isn’t an overly deep edition of the South Australian Derby, and with fresh-ish legs and a jump out between starts, he should be locked and loaded for a repeat performance. 

EROICA (13) in a very open sprint race to wrap up the day. 

Lightly-raced for a five-year-old, this talented mare has won three of her seven starts to date, charging into the frame late here over 1100m a few weeks ago after tracking three-wide into the straight. 

She’s winless in two attempts over 1200m, but recent efforts suggest she might be wanting further with less weight in the saddle this time. 

From a much better alley, she should be back early along the rail and tough to hold out.