A week can be a long time in racing, but luckily for the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable their two runners from a delayed race at Morphettville have escaped the Adelaide heat unscathed.
Klabel and Great Maximus will take their place in the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) on Saturday, a week later than the race had been scheduled to run.
Last Saturday’s Morphettville meeting was initially brought forward to beat, then eventually abandoned, resulting in the Durbridge Stakes being carried over, making an 11-race Saturday card.
Richard Jolly said it was not ideal having to wait the extra week, but added both horses are right to go on Saturday.
“I was a bit disappointed they pulled the pin on them last week,” Jolly said.
“But it hasn’t really altered their prep. The horses are in good order and they’re ready to run as soon as the races are on.”
Jolly said Klabel was the pick of the pair after winning his first race since August 2024 when successful in the Listed Christmas Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville on December 27.
Klabel had been a model of consistency across tracks in both Victoria and South Australia but could not get across the line in first place until last time out.
“He’s a pretty capable horse. All his runs in Melbourne last campaign were good,” Jolly said.
“He’s a 99 rater, which is a hard mark for him.
“Coming back to Adelaide probably suits him that little bit better and this race on Saturday’ it’s probably the same depth as the Christmas.
“He’s a very honest horse and should be hard to beat.”
Jolly conceded Great Maximus was possibly not as well suited under the weight-for-age conditions as his stablemate.
He also noted Great Maximus was possibly more at home on tracks with some give in them which he was unlikely to get on Saturday.
“He probably needs another run and he’s in that rating band where he’s a little bit hard to place,” Jolly said.
“Plus, he’s a horse that is more effective on rain-affected ground, but you can’t spell these horses until winter time.
“He’s got to come in and have a summer prep to get ready for winter, but he’s a pretty capable horse on his day, but at weight-for-age, over 1100 metres, it’s not going to be ideal for him.”
