2026 South Australian Derby Day Tips & Preview

STRAAND DEAL (4) is worth another chance after failing to let down at Caulfield a few weeks ago in a similar race.

The Dundeel gelding was stepped straight up to 2000m second-up and that might have just caught him out, particularly off a solid fresh run for third on the Heath where he stuck on well behind Grand Omaha.

Mark Zahra noted post-race that he didn’t respond when asked and suggested blinkers, and Lloyd Kennewell has made that move. Drawn to get the right run from the inside alley, he strips fitter here and looks well placed to bounce back in a small field.

ODESSA (4) looks the clear improver off a solid runner-up effort on the Parks track a couple of weeks ago.

The McEvoy-trained filly showed good intent rolling forward to land in the box seat and stuck on strongly to really make Bred ‘Em All earn it late.

She was dominant earlier in her prep, putting a field away by 5.5 lengths in the spring, and drops in nicely here with the 3kg claim. Looks very hard to beat.

SNALLYGASTER (8) is worth sticking with after breaking through in style at Oakbank last month.

The Stratum Star gelding did enjoy a soft run in front, but the way he quickened and put them away suggested there’s more to come.

This is tougher up in grade, but the form out of that race has held up nicely, and he’s got the early speed to push forward and find the lead from out wide.

IN THAT MODE (6) shoots for three on the bounce.

He’s been too good at his last two, putting rivals away at Oakbank and Gawler by a combined 4.3 lengths.

This is another step up, but he’s drawn to get the right run from a soft gate and should land on speed. On the quick back-up from last week, he looks a leading chance in a pretty open race.

TROPICAL HOUSE (10) looks well placed to improve second-up for Jake Stephens and the team.

The honest four-year-old resumed with a solid third over this track and trip on a wet day, doing a bit wrong early when over racing but still finding the line well.

She put together back-to-back wins over the mile here last prep, and this doesn’t look the strongest race on paper. Likely to settle back and be saved for one crack late, she shapes as a key player.

TWILIGHT ELEGANCE (9) has made the trip south in good order for Ciaron Maher and looks to be racing well.

She was a strong winner two back at Pakenham despite being held up at a key stage and had excuses at Caulfield last time when caught in a slowly run race that’s since produced handy form.

The Dundeel mare will appreciate getting back out to 2500m and drops in nicely at the weights with 54kg for Jamie Melham. She maps to roll forward and take catching.

YELLOWJACKET (12) is third-up and steps out to the mile for the first time.

The lightly raced daughter of I Am Invincible is a forgive run from the Nitschke Stakes last start, held up at a key stage before finishing 2.3 lengths off Rohesia.

Her fresh effort at Caulfield over 1200m was solid, recovering from a slow start to grab third, and she looks ready to peak now. From the inside draw with Craig Williams aboard, she should get every chance to settle off the speed and be produced at the right time.

KAYE JAY (3) looks well placed here with a month between runs.

The Clayton Douglas-trained three-year-old was last seen in the ATC Derby at Randwick, settling midfield before making a move into the race on the turn.

He only held his ground to finish fourth, but that came off a sharp rise to 2400m after placing in the Alister Clark over 2000m at Caulfield.

He’s shown he can handle some give in the ground, and with a bit of luck from the wide draw early, he can settle off the speed and be in the finish.

STREETCAR APOLLO (1) looks a key chance despite the big weight and awkward draw.

The Zoustar gelding has been rock-solid this prep, winning three of his seven starts and sticking on well for a placing at Oakbank last time despite covering ground into the turn.

Back to 1200m suits and in a wide-open race to close the day, he’s right in the mix.