Authoritarian recorded the biggest win of his racing career in the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday and the tough stayer could be given the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level after he was included in the nominations for the 2015 South Australian Derby at Morphettville on Saturday.
Authoritarian has been included in the nominations for the 2015 South Australian Derby. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Authoritarian made a slow start to his racing career, but he produced an improved performance every time that he stepped up in distance and he broke through for a maiden race win at Geelong on April 8 before he outstayed his opposition in emphatic fashion to record a dominant victory in the VRC St Leger.
The VRC St Leger could end up being a key form guide for the 2015 South Australian Derby as the likes of Cuban Fighter, Gifted Lad and Berserk are also set to back-up from the Listed event that was held at Flemington on Anzac Day.
Another race that is set to be a clear form reference for the South Australia Derby is the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) that will be held at Morphettville on Saturday.
Perth-based galloper Delicacy was included in the 2015 Australasian Oaks field that was released by this morning and the Al Maher filly is also a chance to remain in Adelaide to contest the South Australian Derby after being included in the nominations.
Delicacy stamped herself as a filly to watch when she took out the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) in comfortable fashion on February 28 and the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) on March 14 before she relished the step-up in trip to take out both the Group 3 Western Australian Oaks (2400m) on March 24 and the Group 2 WATC Derby (2400m) a fortnight later.
There are still question marks over the ability of Kansas Sunflower to run out a strong 2000 metres in the Australasian Oaks, but trainer Luke Oliver has still elected to include the filly in the South Australian Derby nominations.
Kansas Sunflower earnt herself as trip to Adelaide when she won at Flemington over 1600 metres on April 11 and she looked like the winner in the Group 3 Auraria Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on April 18, but she tired in the final stages of the race to finish second behind Fitocracy.
Other interesting horses in the 2015 South Australian Derby nominations include Werther, Von Classic Hero, Prima, October Date, Magicool and Allergic.
