Trainer Matthew Williams expects the roomier Morphettville lay-out to suit Darvin when the gelding contests the Group 2 Adelaide Cup.
A field of 17 is set to tackle one of Australia’s oldest races, and one of the few still run at 3200m in Australia, although in recent years it has lost a little of its lustre.
Darvin enters the Adelaide Cup in the right form, having won his last two starts over 3000m at Sandown and The Valley, and Williams says the trip will not pose a problem.
The Adelaide Cup was the furthest thing from Williams’ mind when Darvin started his campaign, while Monday’s performance could ultimately lead to a start in next month’s Sydney Cup at Randwick.
Darvin came up with barrier seven in Tuesday’s draw, a gate that Williams said will give the stayer every opportunity.
The TAB $1.80 favourite, Tralee Rose, trained by Symon Wilde, drew barrier five.
“It’s not the strongest Adelaide Cup field that I’ve seen and apart from ‘Wyldie’s” horse, they look an even bunch,” Williams said.
“She (Tralee Rose) looks as though she’s got a good turn of foot, but my bloke will run the trip.
“Getting back on a bigger track will help him, as Dean (Yendall) said he got a bit lost at The Valley the other night on the tighter turning track.”
Darvin fell in that night to narrowly defeat Budd Fox, while at his previous start, on the roomier Sandown circuit, he strolled home by four-and-a-half lengths.
Tralee Rose, aiming for her sixth win from her past seven starts, has a stranglehold on Adelaide Cup betting as the $1.80 top elect with last week’s Flemington winner Mosh Music the $9 second pick.
Darvin is a $15 chance with Sportsbet.
Written by Craig Brennan