Last-start Melbourne winner Zabeelionaire shades Sydney galloper Strike The Stars for favouritism following the barrier draw for Saturday’s Group One South Australian Derby.
The Leon Corstens-trained Zabeelionaire is at $4.50 after coming up with the inside barrier, just ahead of Strike The Stars ($4.80) who has also drawn well in gate three.
A full field of 16 plus four emergencies was declared on Tuesday for the 2500m feature at Morphettville.
Gai Waterhouse, who dominated the Sydney autumn carnival with seven Group One wins, has third-favourite Tohunga ($7) but the last-start Kembla Grange winner isn’t assured a start because he is the first emergency.
The Tony McEvoy-trained Pelicano is rated the best of the South Australian-trained chances on the fourth line of TAB Sportsbet betting after drawing barrier 15.
Zabeelionaire finished fourth in last year’s Victoria Derby at Flemington while Strike The Stars was a last-start fourth in the Australian Derby at Randwick.
Strike The Stars will be out to claim back-to-back South Australian Derby wins for Randwick trainer Anthony Cummings after the 2011 success of Shadows In The Sun.
