Ben Hayes confident Qafila can grab Group 1 glory against the boys in the SA Derby

Lindsay Park filly Qafila continues to firm for the $500,000 Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.

Damien Oliver rides Qafila to victory in the Debutant Stakes on Caulfield Guineas Day in 2017 continues to firm for Group 1 S Derby. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Lindsay Park filly Qafila continues to firm for the $500,000 Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m).

The luckless runner from last weekend’s Australasian Oaks behind Princess Jenni is now a $12 chance with Cory Parish booked to ride.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said Qafila deserved another shot at Adelaide Group 1 glory as she tries to become just the second filly alongside star Delicacy to beat the boys in the Derby in the past 10 years.

“She was very unlucky (last week) and had quite an easy run,’’ Hayes said.

“She pulled up fantastic was bouncing around the next morning and we thought why not have a crack,’’ he said.

Damien Oliver rides Qafila to victory in the Debutant Stakes on Caulfield Guineas Day in 2017 continues to firm for Group 1 S Derby. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

A winner of the Debutant Stakes at Caulfield as a two-year-old, Qafila has taken on some of the best horses throughout her 16-start career.

She finished seventh behind Written By in the Blue Diamond before running down the track in the Golden Slipper at the end of her two-year-old season.

She ran fourth behind Sunlight in the Quezette Stakes, chased Brutal in the Exford Plate and Amphitrite in the Group 1 Thousand Guinea before two very good runs behind Aristia in both the Group 2 Wakeful and Group 1 Victoria Oaks in the spring.

Hayes said having proven herself at 2500m in the Oaks was a big asset heading into the Derby.

“She’s had a crack at that distance before and she has matured since the spring,’’ Hayes added.

“I think she’s a genuine each-way chance.

“She’s the only filly in the race, gets the weight allowance and has drawn a much better barrier. She won’t get as far back as she did last week and if she has the luck I am sure she’ll be in the finish,’’ he said.

The stable also saddle up Muswellbrook in the $100,000 Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m) with Damien Oliver booked to ride and Floreat Pica in the Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Hayes said Muswellbrook was heading to Adelaide on the back of some impressive track work in Melbourne.

“He did an excellent piece of work here at Flemington on Monday morning and I am sure he’ll be a genuine chance,’’ Hayes said.

Tony McEvoy’s East Indiaman opened a $4.60 favourite with Ladbrokes for the Guineas after an impressive last-start Nitschke stakes win and will jump from barrier 13 with Raquel Clark again in the saddle.