A week after winning the Adelaide Cup with Outback Joe, trainer Nigel Blackiston is considering multiple options for his other carnival contenders in coming days.
Let’s Elope’s son Outback Joe has been sent to the paddock but a grand-daughter of the champion mare, Let’s Make Adeal, will press her claims for the Sydney Cup in Saturday’s Group Three Sky High Stakes at Rosehill.
Blackiston has You’re So Good nominated for the Group One Coolmore Classic in Sydney but is leaning to the Group Two Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley on Friday night.
You’re So Good won the Listed Alexandra Stakes at Moonee Valley at the corresponding meeting last year and is also nominated for the Group One William Reid Stakes on Friday night.
“I think the 1200 metres of the William Reid might be a bit sharp for her now so the 1500 or 1600 metres will be better for her,” Blackiston said.
“I’ll be having a chat with the owners but I might lean towards the Sunline Stakes over the Coolmore.”
You’re So Good failed in her spring campaign but has returned with runner-up performances in her two starts this time including a long-neck defeat to Riziz in the Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m).
Desert Jeuney will join Let’s Make Adeal in the Sky High Stakes (1900m) with Chad Schofield aboard while Michael Rodd retains the Let’s Make Adeal ride.
Let’s Make Adeal is nominated for the Ranvet Stakes but Blackiston doesn’t want to face the likes of Fiorente again until the mare gets to 2400m.
The BMW (2400m) and Chairman’s Stakes (2600m) are options for Let’s Make Adeal after the Sky High as lead-up races to the Sydney Cup.
“She travelled up to Sydney at the weekend and has settled in nicely,” Blackiston said.
Lightly-raced Desert Wizard is in the Newcastle Newmarket on Wednesday but the chances of him running on a firm track are slim, with Blackiston’s other options a benchmark race at Rosehill or a 1300m Kembla Grange event on Sunday.
Blackiston is hoping for back-to-back Alexandra Stakes wins on Friday night with Suavito running second-up with Damien Oliver aboard.
Suavito resumed with a pleasing third to Solicit, who looms as a potential rival again, in the Kewney Stakes and her performance on Friday will determine whether she heads to the Australasian Oaks in Adelaide or the ATC Oaks in Sydney.
“She has come back in great order,” Blackiston said.
“She’s improving all the time and the mile will be better for her.”
