Bold Soul (NZ) Stakes South Australian Derby Claim

Karaka graduate Bold Soul (NZ) (Embellish) emerged as a leading contender for next weekend’s A$1m Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) with an outstanding come-from-behind performance in the traditional lead-up race at Morphettville on Saturday.

The A$150,000 Group Three PFD Food Services Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) was the fifth win of an eight-start career for Bold Soul, who was bought for only $20,000 from Book 2 of Karaka 2022. He has earned over A$371,000 – more than 18 times his purchase price.

Bold Soul won four races in a row earlier this year, including the Listed Launceston Guineas (2100m) and Tasmanian Derby (2200m). His winning streak was interrupted by a last-start third placing in the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m), but he was back on top of his game at Morphettville on Saturday.

After settling well back in the field for jockey Jake Noonan, the Patrick Payne-trained Bold Soul produced an irresistible finish down the straight to reel in the front-running Air Assault (Justify) and snatch victory in the final few strides.

“I probably didn’t put enough trust in the horse last start when he hit a flat spot,” Noonan said. “Today I just trusted the horse and Patrick instilled it in me to do that.

“When he hit a flat spot I didn’t rush him through it, which gave him a chance to pick himself up. From the 400 metres, I travelled like the winner from a long way out.

“I had the stick in the left hand ready to go today, because I know he can lay in. But for me he went pretty straight, and it took until the last 100 metres to get him to flatten out, but he got there.

“This horse looks in great order physically still. He has had a Tasmanian preparation, and as Pat suggested, they don’t have a hard time in Tassie. They train down there with Adam Trinder and they’re in a good environment.”

Payne will chase a second consecutive South Australian Derby win with a Karaka graduate, having won the Adelaide classic 12 months ago with Dunkel (NZ) (Dundeel).