Darknconfidential will continue his build up to the South Australian Derby when he lines on the Parks track at Morphettville
As he heads into the twilight of his training career, Morphettville trainer Stuart Gower hopes Darknconfidential may produce that one Group 1 victory that has eluded him.
Darknconfidential is on a path to the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville in May and will take the next step on that path at Morphettville Parks on Saturday in the SkyCity Handicap (1400m).
Gower has only had 10 starters at the highest level throughout his career that dates back to 1990’s in Adelaide.
Darknconfidential was almost Group 1 runner number 11 last spring with plans of a Victoria Derby start – won by fellow Adelaide galloper Goldrush Guru – but instead of contesting that race at Flemington, the gelding was in the paddock enjoying a break.
“He wasn’t quite mature enough last time because he’s a late November foal,” Gower said.
“He was going to push on towards the Derby, but in hindsight it was a benefit that we didn’t.
“He had a nice spell, and he’s come back bigger and stronger and more mature, so we’re really excited with the way he’s come back.”
Darknconfidential was sent for a break after running sixth in the Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville in October, and resumed with a closing fifth over 1250m on the Parks track on February 15.
Gower said it was not ideal to again be running on the Parks track, but Saturday’s race fitted in nicely ahead of a potential next outing in the Listed Morphettville Guineas (1600m) on March 10.
“Depending how he runs on Saturday, he might run in the Guineas on Adelaide Cup Day, so we’ll be more guided by Saturday,” Gower said.
“The programming is a bit stupid. We have the mile on Adelaide Cup Day, then we drop back to 1400 metres of the Nitschke Stakes and then we go up to the 1800 metres of the Port Adelaide Guineas.
“After that there’s the Chairman’s Stakes and then the Derby, so it’s a bit of a strange way they’ve done it early in the campaign.”
Gower said he would have preferred Saturday’s race on the bigger Morphettville circuit having run well first-up and training on well.
“The inner track IÂ don’t think it’s a big plus for him because he’s such a big horse, but just with the programming that’s really where he’s got to go to,” Gower said.
“I still think he could win, but he’d definitely be a better horse on the outer track.
“He’s a lovely horse and I’m pretty sure we’ll get there this time. He’s definitely furnished into a lovely horse.”
