Scratchy Bottom’s South Australian Derby Odds Shorten

The 2014 South Australian Derby odds of Scratchy Bottom have shortened significantly in the past 24 hours and she is now on the second line of betting for the Group 1 event that will be held at Morphettville this afternoon.

Scratchy Bottom has been a clear market mover in betting for the 2014 South Australian Derby.

Scratchy Bottom has been a clear market mover in betting for the 2014 South Australian Derby. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Scratchy Bottom was available at South Australian Derby odds of $8 earlier in the week, but is now into a quote of $5 to win the $500,000 event and could start the race as favourite after her impressive performance in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) at Morphettville last weekend.

Jockey Dominic Tourneur will partner Scratchy Bottom in the South Australian Derby this afternoon and he told Racing Ahead that he believes the daughter of Sebring is good enough to give him a maiden win in the Group 1 event.

“She was the eye catching run in the Oaks and she is going to be the one storming home,” Tourneur said.

“With 54 and a half she gets a couple of kilos pull on the boys and I expect her to be a very live chance in the race.

“There looks like there is going to be a bit of rain, but seemingly Sebring’s have been handling the wet really well, especially Criterion in the Derby.

“She gets her chance I think.”

Order Of The Sun remains on top of South Australian Derby betting markets from Bring Something, Scratchy Bottom and Gamblin’ Guru and Tourneur expects those horses to fight out the finish, but is not ruling out Kushadasi who stormed home from the back of the field in both the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) on April 12 and the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m).

“Obviously Gamblin’ Guru has been going very well and he seems to handle all track conditions,” Tourneur said.

“He won well there in Melbourne on a heavy track and the track could be in the slow range tomorrow.

“You have to respect Gai’s horse Order Of The Sun and Bring Something for the Keys stable; they are both coming off good wins last start.

“They look to be the key players in the race, along with Kushadasi who is always hitting the line, and I will look to track one of them into the race if possible.”

Tourneur is chasing his first win in the South Australian Derby after missing the placings with San Roque (2008), Exalted Thomas (2007) and McCloud (2006).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.