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Co-trainer Mick Price expects Deepstrike to relish the 2500m of the Group 1 South Australian Derby at Morphettville.

The addition of previous Derby and Oaks winners in the South Australian Derby field has added extra strength to the Group 1 contest, but Mick Price thinks he has the horse to upset them. 

Australian Derby winner Explosive Jack and Victoria Oaks winning filly have a class, and ratings edge, on their rivals but Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, believes Deepstrike will relish the 2500m of Saturday's race. 

And he will give Damian Lane explicit instructions to give Deepstrike galloping room when the contest begins to heat up in the final 800m. 

"He's a momentum type of horse that is in good order and will run right up to his best," Price said. 

"I'm hoping his best is good enough. 

"You have an Australian Derby winner, Explosive Jack, which doesn't usually happen, then you have Personal, a Victoria Oaks winner. 

"I suppose Personal is going to get out of her ground from that draw, but her run was very, very good last week. 

"They're the two best horses in the race, so hopefully we can beat them." 

Yet to be tried at 2500m, his last start eighth over 2040m at Morphettville on April 24 is the furthest Deepstrike has been, Price said the gelding's previous outings gave him the indication the distance would be a problem. 

"He was strong at Sandown over 1800 metres the he was on heels for most of it in the Chairman's last time," Price said. 

"I think he's well suited, it's just whether he's good enough on the day. 

"He's had a good prep that is still on the way up. He's a lightly-framed horse that is going to get better as he gets older. 

"I think if he has good run in the race, he's going to be in the money somewhere." 

Price will consider a trip for the Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm later in the month if Deepstrike is successful on Saturday. 

"He will have bought himself a business class ticket by then," Price said.