Mick Price believes Global Eclipse can measure up in the South Australian Derby.

It may not be a conventional path to the Group 1 South Australian Derby, but Mick Price is confident the lightly raced Global Eclipse will acquit himself well. 

The son of Pierata led throughout for a six length Cranbourne maiden win when last seen, prompting Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr to roll the dice and head to the 2500m journey at Morphettville on Saturday. 

There had been fears Global Eclipse would be left on the sidelines when he was second emergency when the field was announced with barriers on Tuesday. 

As a back-up in case he did not get a start in the Derby, Global Eclipse was also an acceptor in the Evergreen Turf Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday. 

But with the scratchings of Politely Dun and Chase Your Dreams, Global Eclipse has snuck into the field and will be ridden by Ben Melham who is chasing a third Derby win having scored aboard Shadows In The Sun (2011) and Escado (2013). 

"He's a big, long horse, he's clean-winded," Price said. 

"We're very happy with him." 

By Pierata out of the Fastnet Rock mare Global Dream, who won up to 1400m, Global Eclipse's pedigree doesn't leap off the page as a classic contender, but Price says everything the horse has done on the track suggests the trip will be of no issue. 

"I just train him," Price said. 

"Have a look at what he did at 2000 metres (last time. I've worked him with some stayers at home lately and he's there on the line. 

"He's clean-winded and I'm confident at 2500 metres, but he's got to have a turn of foot. It's just a matter of if he's got the class to sprint a little bit. 

"He's a quiet horse, he's a sound horse, and he's totally enjoying being in training." 

Statuario is a firm Derby favourite at $3.20 after drawing ideally in barrier three, although he could start from gate one if third emergency Gin Rummy does not gain a start. 

With news Global Eclipse has gained a start, the colt has firmed from $15 into $10.