Melbourne jockey Noel Callow has retained the ride on Grand Chancellor in the Group 1 $600,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Odeon, above, is the early favourite for the South Australian Derby at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Callow had his first ride on Grand Chancellor when second to Derby rival Waging War in the Group 3 $120,000 Chairman’s Stakes (2030m) at Morphettville on April 29 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.”
Callow and Stokes have already teamed up for a stakes win over the Adelaide Autumn Carnival with two year old Broadband taking out the Group 3 $120,000 Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on April 29.
Callow was also in form last Saturday at Morphettville with a winning double on Sweet Sherry for trainer Brent Stanley in the Group 2 $500,000 Euclase Stakes (1200m) and on the Richard Jolly trained Karacatis in the Group 3 $175,000 D C McKay Stakes (1100m).
Stokes is hoping there is a solid tempo in the South Australian Derby which would give Grand Chancellor a good chance of beating the Derby favourite Odeon again after the pair ran the quinella in the Listed $110,000 Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville on April 8.
“I just want to see him relax a bit more,” Stokes said.
“I’m hoping in the Derby they might run along bit quicker, which I think they should.”
“Odeon was very impressive last time in Melbourne. He’s obviously the one to beat.”
“But my horse has trained on nicely. He’s got to be a chance.”
The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained Odeon retained his spot at the top of the market order for the South Australian Derby with Ladbrokes.com.au at $4 after the three year old beat the older horses in a 2000m BenchMark 84 Handicap at Caulfield on April 29 while Grand Chancellor is marked at $11.
Early market order for the South Australian Derby at Ladbrokes.com.au: $4 Odeon, $6 Ruthven, $8 Rockstar Rebel, $9 Netherfield, Volatile Mix, $11 Grand Chancellor, Waging War, $13 Anaheim, $15 Wu Gok, $17 Lycurgus, $21 Bedford, Savvy Dreams, Tumultuous, $26 or better the rest.
