Early favourite Odeon has drawn nicely at barrier five in a capacity field for the 2017 Group 1 $600,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Odeon, above, has drawn barrier five in the South Australian Derby at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

The final field for the South Australian Derby is made up of sixteen three-year-olds plus four emergencies with three fillies, Savvy Dreams, Sedanzer and Wheal Leisure included in the top sixteen.

The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Odeon will probably jump from gate four with the fourth emergency Bedford drawing barrier four and is very unlikely to gain a start.

In-form jockey Damian Lane takes the ride on the Zacinto gelding, replacing Katelyn Mallyon who was aboard last start for a win against the older horses in a 2000m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield on April 26.

“He was strong to the line the other day over 2000,” co-trainer Simon Zahra said.

“His sectionals were good and his mother (Theatre Buff) won over 2400 metres twice.

“He’s got a turn of foot and I think he thrives off good tempos. All his best races have been off strong tempos. To me the distance is not going to be a worry.

“We just need a bit of luck.”

Lane is no stranger to Odeon and was on board when the pair won a 1400m Class 1 at Bendigo on March 14.

The Ciaron Maher trained Ruthven wasn’t as lucky at the barrier draw with the eighteen marble rolling out for the Domesday colt who could move in three spots if all the emergencies fail to gain a start.

Ruthven was beaten just over two lengths when fourth to Jon Snow in the Group 1 $2m BMW Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick on April 1 and has since finished second to Toffee Nose in the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m) at Caulfield on April 22.

Damien Oliver takes thee mount again on Netherfield after the pair combined for a fourth to South Australian Derby rival Waging War in the Group 3 $120,000 Chairman’s Stakes (2030m) at Morphettville on April 29.

The Mick Price trained Darci Brahma gelding drew barrier thirteen in the original draw but could jump from gate ten at start time with three of the four emergencies drawing inside of him.

Melbourne jockey Noel Callow has retained the mount on local hope Grand Chancellor who is certain to get a cosy run from barrier two.

Callow had his first ride on Grand Chancellor when second to Derby rival Waging War in the Chairman’s Stakes and trainer Phillip Stokes had no hesitation in putting him on again this week.

“Noel’s riding really well,” Stokes told The Advertiser.

“He’s had a ride on the horse now so he knows him better, which is a real positive.”

“I was very happy with the Chairman’s run. He got shuffled back and ended up in an awkward position.”

Leading Victorian trainer Darren Weir accepted with two three-year-olds for the South Australian Derby with Volatile Mix with John Allen drawing barrier sixteen in the main field while Brad Rawiller’s mount Rockstar Rebel was made the first emergency and came up with barrier seven.

Final Field for the 2017 South Australian Derby (2500m)