Sun shines in SA Derby

Proud South Australians trainers Tony & Calvin McEvoy and jockey Jamie Kah returned to Morphettville to combine for a Group 1 success in the $1 million Thomas Farms South Australian Derby (2500m) on Saturday, May 4.

Star three-year-old filly Coco Sun, backed up from her third in the Australasian Oaks (2000m) a week earlier to beat the boys in the blue riband Derby.

For the McEvoys it was their first SA Derby win, and for the outstanding Jamie Kah, it was her first Group 1 in her home state.

McEvoy indicated there was a good chance Coco Sun would now head to Eagle Farm for the Queensland Oaks

Kah gave Coco Sun ($5) the run of the race trailing the leaders before driving her through in the home straight to score a tough 1-1/4 length win from Warmonger ($6) with Air Assault ($26), three-quarters of a length away third.

The filly travelled beautifully and gave a great kick when asked to extend past the 300-metre mark.

Trainer Tony McEvoy was emotional about taking out a Group 1 Derby at Morphettville.

“It is very exciting,” McEvoy said.

“These are the races we like to win.

“This is a really good filly. Calvin was here last week and both he and Jamie were so bullish about backing her up.

“I spoke to the owner Terry Jarvis who is in New Zealand, he backed us and said if the filly was fine to go ahead.”

McEvoy said while Coco Sun didn’t win in the spring last year she had run well.

“She ran really well in all her five starts.

“She was just getting run off her legs in the early ones, then ran fifth in the Wakeful and was competitive enough for us to run in the Oaks but didn’t quite run it out.

“She has developed beautifully since then. She is the most gorgeous filly, and I am very proud of her.”

McEvoy said Jamie Kah had so much faith in Coco Sun.

“She said to me she wanted to bounce out and put her there and the only question I had was the 2500 metres, but you don’t argue with Jamie Kah, and she gave her a beautiful ride and the filly stayed the trip strongly.

“I can’t thank Jamie enough for what she has done for my brand and my stable.

“She has been a star forever and I love her. I am very proud that she landed her first SA Group 1 on one of my horses.

“There is five weeks to the Queensland Oaks, and in that amount of time I think Terry Jarvis will be looking for some sun out of New Zealand.

“If she is well, we will go to the Oaks.”

Winning jockey Jamie Kah said winning the Group One Derby was a career highlight.

“That is all I wanted,” Kah said.

“I had a great ride today, and I had a great ride last week, but it didn’t go my way but today it did.

“It was great to win for the old boss who put up with me for a long time, so he deserves it.

“So many years I rode here for Tony, and so many winners and he looked after me so well., so it is nice to repay him.

“All I wanted to do was ride a Group 1 winner in Adelaide in front of Mum and Dad, and my family and everyone who has supported me.

“I was not worried about the 2500 (metres) today because of the way she finished off so well last week, through and after the line.

“Today she was so tough.”