SA to have three runners in Saturday’s Group 1 Victoria Derby

Trainer Peter Jolly confirmed Tuesday that Morvada would back up in the 2500m feature after his game front- running effort when runner-up behind Derby favourite Sacred Elixir in last week’s Moonee Valley Vase.

Morvada will be joined by Phillip Stokes’ Captain Duffy, an impressive last-start winner of the Listed Geelong Classic, and the Tony McEvoy-trained Silvera.

Jolly said Morvada had come through his first Melbourne outing in fantastic order.

“We’ve come this far so we’re going to have a crack at the Derby,’’ Jolly said Tuesday.

“It took the Derby favourite to beat him last weekend. He’s pulled-up really well and I really can’t fault him,’’ he said.

Despite a dramatic drift in betting, Morvada jumped brilliantly to lead his rivals in testing conditions before being run down in the concluding stages.

Jockey Steven Arnold said Morvada was a horse with a big future while still having a lot to learn.

“Steve said the horse is still very green,’’ Jolly added. “He said he doesn’t know exactly what to do just yet.

“When the other horse got to him on Saturday, he came again and was fighting back on the line.’’

Jolly said he was hoping for a favourable barrier draw which will give them options with the horse who will try to win the Derby classic at just his 10th start.

“We wanted to get some cover with him last weekend, but he jumped so well he didn’t get a chance,’’ Jolly said.

“Ideally I’d like to see him draw inside six. There is only a short run to the first turn at Flemington so I’d like him to be in the mix early. ’’

So Si Bon finished third in last weekend’s Vase and his trainer Robbie Laing said today’s barrier draw would be the key to his horses turning the tables on Sacred Elixir.

“If I draw gate one and Sacred Elixir draws 18, I’m a good chance of beating him. And if Sacred Elixir draws one and we draw 18 then I’m a remote chance,” Laing said.

Leading Adelaide trainer Phillip Stokes has booked Noel Callow to ride Captain Duffy with Kerrin McEvoy to ride Silvera.

UBET has Captain Duffy at $13, Morvada a $17 chase with Silvera at $21 behind $3 favourite Sacred Elixir.

Originally published as SA’s Captain Duffy, Morvada & Silvera tackle Vic Derby