Co-trainer Simon Zahra believes that his promising staying three year old Odeon ticks all the boxes heading into the Group 1 $600,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Favourite Odeon, above, ticks all the boxes for the South Australian Derby at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Odeon has won three of his last four race starts and cemented his place at the top of the Ladbrokes.com.au market order at $3.20 following his win against the older horses in a 2000m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield on April 29.
“He’s in good form. He’s had a faultless preparation and we think he’ll relish the 2500m,” Zahra told the Herald Sun.
“He’s drawn barrier five and he has Damian Lane on. If he’s good enough, he will be in the finish. Everything is spot-on for him.”
Odeon continued to show his good form on the tracks with a solid hit out on Tuesday morning at Flemington.
“He galloped nicely. It was really good work,’’ Zahra said.
“He looked amazing and he’s spot-on in the coat.”
The South Australian Derby had been a long term goal for Odeon which was set by Zahra and his training partner Mat Ellerton at the end of the 2016 Spring Carnival.
“That was his first preparation. He showed us a lot, but he wasn’t ready as he had trouble concentrating,’’ Zahra said.
“We thought a spell and also getting him gelded would work for him. Sydney was going to come up too quickly, so we decided to target Adelaide.”
In-form jockey Damian Lane takes the ride on the Zacinto gelding, replacing Katelyn Mallyon who was aboard for his last start win at Caulfield but he is no stranger to Odeon and was on board when the pair won a 1400m Class 1 at Bendigo on March 14.
Jamie Mott then took over the reins at his next two starts for a win in a 1600m three year old Plate at Mornington on March 25 followed by a second to South Australian Derby rival Grand Chancellor in the Listed $110,000 Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 8.
On the second line of betting for the South Australian Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au is the Mick Price trained Netherfield at $6 ahead of the Ciaron Maher’s Ruthven at $7 and the Darren Weir trained Volatile Mix at $7.50.
