Trainer Matt Cumani would not mind a sedately run South Australian Derby.
Single Choice runs in the Group 1 classic over 2518m at Morphettville on Saturday and comes into the race having won two of his past three starts.
He scored over 1800m in Group 2 company in the Autumn Classic at Caulfield three runs back while at his most recent outing Single Choice was able to win the Listed Galilee Series Final (2400m) at Caulfield on April 11.
Single Choice is a son of speedster Anders, but where the gelding gets his stamina is through his dam Sebring Sally, who while she won her maiden at 1200m, she was able to win at 2100m and ran fourth in a Queensland Oaks (2400m).
While successful over the 2400m journey last time out, Cumani said he would have liked to have seen that race run at a stronger tempo, especially with the step up in trip on Saturday.
“He’s got the form on the board, but what he hasn’t had is a true test at 2400 or 2500 metres,” Cumani said.
“The Galilee Series Final was meant to be that, but he got pretty easy sectionals up front.
“It was a beautiful ride by Jamie Mott, and we thought that might happen.
“So, technically it was a win, and we were happy to take the win at the time, but we didn’t get that true test at a mile-and-a-half.”
With Single Choice drawn in barrier five and Mott again riding Single Choice, Cumani is again hoping that the Derby will be run at a sedate tempo.
While Cumani knows a sedately run Derby could play into Single Choice’s hand, he is also hoping a stronger tempo won’t be against him.
“It is quite possible that we may get that slower type of race run in Adelaide as well which will suit him, but I’m hoping a fast tempo will suit him as well and that is something we will find out,” Cumani said.
“Jamie Mott is riding him again, and he was quite keen to go over and ride him which I’m quite pleased with also as he rode him beautifully at Caulfield.”
