Chasing Local Victory in the Thomas Farms SA Derby

Doudle's Prince Flies Local Flag

Morphettville trainer Travis Doudle has only ever had one runner in a Group 1 race.

Tropical Lightning ran fourth for the ex-jumps jockey in the 2018 South Australian Derby, defying his $151 starting price to finish only a couple of lengths from the winner Leicester.

It’s one of the reasons he’s optimistic emerging stayer Prince Tikea can run a cheeky race at a similar price in Saturday’s 150^th edition of the Derby.

The lovable chestnut is the only locally-trained horse in a race dominated by Victorian three-year-olds, and Doudle said six months of planning can pay dividends when he tackles the $502,500 contest.

“He’s fit and well, I can’t fault the horse,” Doudle said.

“We set him for Saturday and everything we’ve done in preparation, from when he was spelling right through to now has been set around the Derby.

“He had a nice piece of work on Monday, another very solid hit out on Tuesday morning and then he was very bright on the beach on Wednesday morning.

“It’s the Grand Final so let’s hope he brings his A-game on the day.”

Prince Tikea has tackled the traditional Derby lead-ups this campaign, with midfield finishes in both the Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) and the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) at Morphettville.

Doudle hopes the step to 2500m can be the key to him turning the tables on several of his key rivals.

Veteran Adelaide jockey Dom Tourneur will ride Prince Tikea from barrier three on Saturday.

“His first couple of runs this campaign were nice and solid,” he said.

“He was only four lengths away from them in the Chairman’s and we received some good, positive feedback after that last run.

“We were pretty confident he’d get a run in the Derby so we stayed on that traditional path via the Port Adelaide Guineas and the Chairman’s Stakes.

“He’s been up against some pretty tough competition but hopefully when he gets up to 2500m on Saturday that can be the making of him.

“Everyone that has sat on him thinks he will stay – he’s very clean winded, everything he does on the track is pretty solid and he’s plenty fit enough.”

Purchased for $45,000 from the Cornerstone Stud draft at the 2021 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, Prince Tikea is raced by a large group of owners, including many that joined via syndicator On Fire Racing.

“We picked him out of the Cornerstone Stud draft,” he said.

“We saw him a couple of times up at the farm and then again at the sale and we really liked him.

“There is a great group of guys that race him with On Fire Racing, they’ve been great supporters of my stable and it’s a thrill to team up with them in the Group 1 race.”