Al Maher three-year-old Money Maher will be the sole WA representation in today’s Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphetville.
The three-time stakes-winning colt will be ridden by regular West Australian hoop Jarrad Noske in the $600,000 event and will need a lot of luck to go his way jumping from barrier 15 in a full field of 16 runners.
Co-trainer Ben Pearce accompanied Money Maher in his flight from Perth to Melbourne on April 30 and the pair stayed at Darren Weir’s Warrnambool training establishment before travelling via float to Adelaide on Thursday.
The colt is currently rated a $19 chance with TABtouch and a winning performance would be sure to stake his claim as a future stallion prospect.
Meanwhile, Pearce-trained gelding Pushin’ Shapes ($11) will race second-up from a spell at Ascot today.
The Viscount five-year-old raced without luck when resuming over 1400m and jumping from the outside barrier on April 28, however, he has drawn suitably in barrier three in today’s 12-horse field.
Joseph Azzopardi retains the mount aboard Pushin’ Shapes, who has placed three times from five previous efforts second-up.
The Pearce stable trained their 51st winner for the 2017/18 season when consistent Discorci mare, Tap The Go Go, saluted at Pinjarra on Thursday.