One of Australia’s largest stables will chase their first Adelaide Cup victory when they saddle the two topweights at Morphettville.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will be represented by Persan and Grand Promenade in the Group 2 3200m Adelaide Cup on Monday.
John Allen will ride Grand Promenade while a replacement was still being sought on Sunday for Persan after Jamie Kah suffered concussion in a fall at Flemington on Saturday.
Craig Williams, who also fell in the same incident as Kah in the VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes, has been replaced by Damien Thornton on True Marvel in Monday’s race.
Williams fractured a collarbone and had concussion following the fall.
Eustace said both Persan and Grand Promenade enter Monday’s race in good order.
A winner three starts back at Flemington, Persan has been a little plain in his two runs since, finishing sixth in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day and then fifth in the Listed Torney Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley on February 17.
“Persan didn’t get his own way at The Valley,” Eustace said.
“We quite fancied him that day but he got a bit competitive with another horse from a long way out. He downed tools, which is probably a bit harsh, but he dropped the bridle pretty quick.
“I suppose he’s one of those older horses that lacks a bit of consistency. Sometimes you’ll get the best out of them and sometimes you won’t.”
Grand Promenade is entering the 3200m of the Adelaide Cup having his third run since finishing 14th behind stablemate Gold Trip in last year’s Melbourne Cup at Flemington.
The stayer finished fourth to another stablemate Right You Are first-up at Sandown on February 4 before running third to Adelaide Cup opponent Highland Jakk in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) on February 25.
“I thought Grand Promenade was good the other day and he’s had the grounding for the two miles,” Eustace said.
“He would probably be the pick of the pair, but only just.”
