Dunnstown trainer-driver David Murphy will tackle the rich Victoria Derby with the promising youngster after a triumphant trip to Adelaide.

The Night Pearl ($1.90 favourite) underlined his class with an effortless win in the group 1 $30,000 South Australian Derby, 2230m, at Globe Derby Park on Saturday night.

He saluted by almost five metres from Western Rockstar ($16.90), with Fistfullofdollars ($6.30) third.

The still raw colt wobbled a little on the home turn while charging three wide, but once he straightened up quickly took charge.

“It did get a little messy,” Murphy said.

“He’s still a baby. He needed to balance up.”

Murphy said he was pleased how quickly The Night Pearl had put paid to his rivals.

It has been a meteoric rise for The Night Pearl, which was only named about 10 weeks ago.

The son of Village Jasper has quickly made a big impression on Murphy, who is likening him to his former outstanding pacer It Is I.

“He’s a pretty special horse.”

While injury and illness did not allow the brilliant It Is I to reach his full potential, he won 19 of 24 starts, winning the Legends Mile and finishing fourth in a Miracle Mile.

Murphy said he usually liked to allow young horses to learn all about racing in their first track campaign.

However, so quickly has The Night Pearl developed, he will not get that luxury. Murphy said right now The Night Pearl was racing on raw ability.

He said with the lure of a group 1 race he had decided to go to the South Australia Derby, especially with a lack of opportunities for three-year-olds in Victoria leading up to the Victoria Derby.

Derby heats will be at Melton on Friday, January 28, and a $200,000 final at Melton a week later.

The Night Pearl, which is Murphy’s second SA Derby winner, faces a busy season.

Murphy has earmarked the Vicbred Super Series, New South Wales Breeders Challenge and NSW Derby as possible targets.