An abundance of options has emerged as the most pressing concern for trainer Dan O’Sullivan as he plots the progress toward the Adelaide Cup of Tuscan Fire.
O’Sullivan has at least three choices of lead ups for Tuscan Fire following his successful step up to 2600m in the Rain Lover Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.
Tuscan Fire winning Race 3 at Caulfield - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
“I’ve certainly got a few options I have to consider,” O’Sullivan said.
“At the moment I’m looking at the Mornington Cup prelude and then the Cup next month and there’s another 2600m race here and then Adelaide.
“It’ll all be worked out, it’s not a bad position to be in.”
Tuscan Fire stands out as the staying find of the summer in Melbourne, having progressed from a 1300m placing at Geelong in November to a 2000m victory at Flemington before Saturday’s impressive success.
Given the run of the race by Glen Boss, Tuscan Fire, the $2.10 favourite, took control 400m from home and had little difficulty holding off all challengers, beating Crafty Cruiser ($8) by 1-1/2 lengths.
Module ($8.50) ran on solidly after being pocketed at the back of the field to take third place, a short-head further back.
Tuscan Fire has proved a revelation for O’Sullivan who initially had a jumps campaign in mind for the horse.
“He’s shown some ability at the jumping at home, so it’s still on the cards,” he said.
“But we’ve got a few months yet before the jumps start so we’ll keep him going on the flat.”
Winning rider Glen Boss added to O’Sulllivan’s confidence, declaring the 3200m of the Adelaide Cup should present no problems.”
“Go there, just go there,” Boss told the trainer on dismounting.
“He just adjusted to the pace of the race today by himself – he’s a natural.”
The Adelaide Cup is run at Morphettville on March 11.
