Ballarat trainer Dan O’Sullivan is mindful of what lays ahead in his bid to win the Adelaide Cup with Berkeley Square.
After a placing over 2000m at Caulfield last Saturday, Berkeley Square is on the quick back-up at Flemington on Saturday in the Be Captivated Trophy (2500m).
O’Sullivan said it was all about having Berkeley Square at his peak for the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 9.
The Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville on February 21 is the traditional lead-up for the Adelaide Cup, but O’Sullivan does not want to make two trips to Adelaide with Berkeley Square and risk the gelding’s program.
“It’s about getting the miles into the legs before the Adelaide Cup, so that’s why I’m running him on Saturday,” O’Sullivan said.
“The Lord Reims would quite possibly be a suitable race for him, but I don’t want to do two trips, I don’t want to go over, come home and then go back again.
“Plus, he’s in a good routine at home.”
O’Sullivan said Berkeley Square was looking for the 2500m on Saturday and said for some reason the gelding doesn’t perform at his best at Caulfield.
He said Berkeley Square was always on edge in the tie-up stalls at Caulfield on race day but relaxes better at Flemington.
“The way he raced last week he’s looking for the extra trip now and after this we’ve got three weeks leading up to the Adelaide Cup, so that’s up to me to get it right,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think he’s in good spot.
“It would be good if we could win the Adelaide Cup. He’s owned there and the breeder (David Peacock) is very keen for him to go there.”
Berkeley Square is a dual Ballarat Cup winner and has had two starts since posting the second of those victories in December.
Luke Nolen, who rode the galloper to success at Ballarat, returns to the saddle on Saturday.
