3 minute read
Dual Derby placegetter sharp enough for SA Derby
Alegron has already proven himself one of the most durable three-year-olds of his generation and James Cummings is confident he can land a deserved maiden Group 1 win this weekend.
The son of Teofilo and dual Derby placegetter is favourite for Saturday's $500,000 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville in Adelaide.
That event will be Alegron's first start since winning the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on Anzac Day and Cummings said the objective since that win had been to keep sharpness in his legs.
"He's come through his win the St Leger in good fashion and we've got our sights set on the Derby," Cummings said.
"He should be ready to go and drop back in trip and run very well. He needs to be sharp enough to win it, so he's going to need to turn up and be at his best.
"But we're supremely happy with him and if he's up an about on the day then I think he's going to take some holding out."
Saturday's race will be the third Group 1 Derby that Alegron has contested this season.
He beat home all bar Hitotsu in the VRC Derby (2500m) last spring and finished third, beaten just three-quarters-of-a-length, in the Australian Derby (2400m) at his start before the St Leger.
He also finished third in the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick last spring.
Alegron will again be ridden by Damien Oliver, whose sole SA Derby success came aboard Zabeelionaire a decade ago, and is the $3 favourite in TAB's All-In market.
