Scratchy Bottom has been included in the 2014 South Australian Derby field and has the opportunity to become the first filly to win the race since Zarita took out the 2008 edition of the Group 1 event.
Scratchy Bottom will take on the colts in the 2014 South Australian Derby at Morphettville on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Trainer Mick Kent revealed yesterday that he was leaning towards running Scratchy Bottom in the South Australian Derby after she flew home late to finish third behind May’s Dream and Star Fashion in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) on Saturday, ruling out a tilt at the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, and the daughter of Sebring was the only filly in the 2014 South Australian Derby field that was released this morning.
Kent admits that he is unsure how Scratchy Bottom will go against the boys at Morphettville this weekend, but is confident that she will handle the step-up to 2400 metres and give a good account of herself in the Group 1 event.
“I just wanted to have a look at her and see how she got through the run,” Kent told
“I came over and we gave her a canter.
“She looks well and has eaten up so there was no reason not to pay up.
“It’s a Group One race, she’s here and the trip won’t hold any fears.
“It’s hard to line them up, the colts and the fillies, but I think the fillies are comparable.
“She ran against a few of these horses in the Alister Clark Stakes and was competitive.”
Scratchy Bottom made her racing debut in a maiden at Moonee Valley in October last year and was thrown in the deep end at her second start; finishing fourth behind Gypsy Diamond in the Group 2 Jeep Don’t Hold Back Classic (1600m) at the same venue on October 25.
After a stint in the spelling paddock, Scratchy Bottom returned to the races with a win in the Robert Hunter Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on February 1 and was far from disgraced in the Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington on February 15 and the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on March before producing arguably the best performance of her career in the Australasian Oaks at Morphettville on Saturday.
Scratchy Bottom is currently available at 2014 South Australian Derby odds of $10; with VRC St Leger winner Order Of The Sun ($3.60) a narrow favourite from the in-form Bring Something ($4.50), Adelaide based-Gamblin’ Guru ($8), Anthony Cummings-trained Best Case ($8), Chairman’s Handicap placegetter Gravitational ($9) and the luckless Kushadasi ($10).
