Statuario on trial for South Australian Derby in Galilee Series Final at Caulfield

Emma-Lee and David Browne will know after Saturday if Galilee Series Final favourite Statuario will be heading towards the Group 1 South Australian Derby.

Statuario could punch a ticket to the Group 1 South Australian Derby with victory at Caulfield on Saturday in the Listed Elvis Thurgood Galilee Series Final (2400m).

The Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained three-year-old placed third behind Australian Derby contender Shanwah last start at The Valley in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m).

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“If he runs out a good 2400m on Saturday that’s definitely where we’ll be headed,” Emma-Lee Browne said.

“We’ll know a lot more after Saturday.”

Statuario is a $2.30 favourite at Caulfield from Red Aces ($6), Rapid Cheval ($6.50) and Politely Dun ($8).

“He’s come through the run (Alister Clark) super, really, really happy with him,” Browne said.

“It will be good to see him over 2400m and see where we’re at.

“Given he relaxes so well early in running you’d be fairly confident he’ll be able to get the distance.”

Statuario will head to the South Australian Derby if he can win at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Scott Barbour/Racing Photos via Getty Images

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Statuario, a three-year-old son of D’Argento, has displayed a strong turn of foot late in races to date.

He surged from back in the field last start, against the pattern, to get within two lengths of Shanwah.

Statuario has won two of nine starts and placed three times.

He finished fourth behind eventual VRC Oaks winner Treasurethe Moment last spring.

Browne has Le Zebra and Basilinna both drawn wide in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) on Saturday at Caulfield.

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The Pakenham-based trainer said the pair, both last-start winners, could potentially be saved for another day.

“We’re in a little bit of a wait and see, a bit of a weather watch,” Browne said.

“We have got a few other options up our sleeve for both of them.

“They’re both going really well so we’re in a good spot in that respect.”

The family-run stable has enjoyed a rich vein of form the past month with multiple winners, most notably exciting two-year-old McGaw in the $1m The Showdown (McGaw).

Basilinna won at The Valley a fortnight ago while Le Zebra claimed the Bairnsdale Cup.

“It’s been an amazing couple of weeks, definitely.”

Originally published as Statuario on trial for South Australian Derby in Galilee Series Final at Caulfield