It might not be grand final day for Adelaide River at Rosehill but trainer Kris Lees is still looking forward to kicking off the 2023 Irish Derby placegetter’s campaign.
The six-year-old has been off the scene since finishing fourth in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) last October, his fifth run for Lees since transferring from the Aidan O’Brien stable for which he was a three-time Group 1 placegetter in Europe.
While his best form is over middle distances and staying journeys, Lees views Saturday’s Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) as a nice starting point and won’t be shocked by a forward showing, given Adelaide River has been sharp enough to win his past three barrier trials.
“I’m keen to get him to the races,” Lees said.
“It’s not the right trip for him but he needs a day out. He’ll run well and he could easily surprise.”
This spring will be Adelaide River’s third campaign for Lees following two starts last winter and a mixed carnival in 2024, highlighted by a close fourth to Buckaroo in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.
The horse has since been gelded and Lees hopes that might produce more consistent results.
“It’s his first run back as a gelding,” he said.
“He was a big, heavy horse and he was mixing his form a little bit last preparation so it was the right time to do that.”
Adelaide River will be joined at Rosehill by three-year-old Wisnierska in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1300m) and Cloudland in the final race.
The former was doing her best work late when placed behind Rosebud contender Nashville first-up and is expected to appreciate a 200m distance rise.
“She mixed it with a couple of handy enough horses (at two). She was good first time out and with that run under her belt, she should run well,” Lees said.
