Joseph Galati, resident South Australian form expert analyses the Adelaide Cup field ahead of today’s $400,000 race.
Race 8 – Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup $400,000 (Group 2) 3200m
1) Fast Future – Has drawn horribly (barrier 18) but was a last start winner in the Launceston Cup running a record time over the 2400m. Its no surprise that the next port of call was the Adelaide Cup but the top weight of this classy field has it all to do. Fast Future is trained by Russell Cameron at Flemington and will be ridden by Jamie Mott.
2) Guyno – This bloke is as tough as they come and on top of being a huge win in the Mornington Cup, he toughed it out to win in a cliffhanger last start against the flying Maunatrice in the Lord Reims. Draws a good gate in barrier 7 but he has only ever won or placed on good rated tracks which although we expect to have come Monday is still of some concern. Trained by Lou Luciani at Ascot and ridden by Jason Whiting, Guyno is one tough customer and must be respected.
3) King Diamond – One word, flying. This fella probably couldn’t be going any better and early betting concurs. Not ideally drawn (barrier 14) but he was thrown in the deep end last start when given a big impost in the Roy Higgins at Flemington and he showed a class field a clean pair of heels winning in fine fashion. Mark Kavanagh trains the horse from his Flemington stables and Michael Rodd sticks with him. Can’t knock him, he is the one to beat.
4) Lady Avacan – Ran out of her skin last start and reminded us all just what she is capable of. On the other hand she couldn’t have drawn worse there in barrier 20 and she will have it all to do. I’m passing on her but I hope she runs another cracker because she deserves a big win. This 6 year old mare is trained by Sue Jaensch at Naracoorte and is to be ridden by Craig Robertson.
5) Macedonian – Hard to really gauge how this son of Zabeel is going after he was a well beaten favourite in the Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Day at Flemington after a 2 month break but has since run a good fourth in the Mornington Cup around a tight track which doesn’t suit him. He is from the dominant Peter Moody stable and no surprises that Luke Nolen will be piloting him. He is well in the market but I am not sure which way to go on him. I think I’ll pass.
6) Maunatrice – Outstanding mare. Thats all there is to say about her. She has revelled in her time in Adelaide and looked the winner past the post last week before the photo said otherwise. She has drawn barrier 5 which doesn’t make to much difference to her chances as she will be in the last third of the field and should be coming home hard. Darren Weir trains this mare from Ballrat and jockey Mark Zahra has had his fair share of hard luck over the past month and this could be his consolation prize. She is the best mare in this race and is absolutely flying. If she runs the trip, she finishes top three without any issues.
7) Vesper – Another Victorian who is making the trip over to Morphettville. And another Victorian who has drawn horridly in barrier 17. On the plus side he gets a lovely weight drop from last weeks Roy Higgins and is a huge chance. Trained by Robert Hickmott in Mt. Macedon and ridden by Nicholas Hall, this son of Vesper will be doing the rounds of all the main city cups this year and couldn’t be disregarded in this.
8 ) Tibooburra Travis – Not reading a hell of a lot into his win last week were, although he lugged the big weight, he just got over the top of Stakhanovite who hasn’t won in 13 tries at Morphettville. Trained by Leon Wells from Spreyton and ridden by gun apprentice Jason Maskiell, this grey gelding is rough and rightfully so.
9) Big Ted – Very disappointing last week when well beaten in a small field behind Guyno, Maunatrice and Lady Avacan. West Australian apprentice Kyra Yuill hops back aboard which is a positive but I cant see him winning. Big Ted is trained at Bullsbrook by Ivan Haggerty.
10) Muir – Another Robert Hickmott runner. Big run last week after setting the pace and kicking back in the straight ti hang on for third. Another who has drawn terribly (barrier 19) but if he jumps well he can roll forward and perhaps emulate last weeks performance. Darren Gauci is one of the best in the business when it comes to leaders and he will give Muir every chance.
11) Zauberin – Another Russell Cameron runner and another who comes out of last weeks close Lord Reims. He finished fourth of six but was only beaten by half a length. Would prefer it if he had more than one kilogram off Maunatrice to help bolster his chances but hoop Dean Holland rides well in Adelaide and a win wouldn’t surprise.
12) Olympic Win – Trained by Robert Smerdon at Caulfield and ridden by Craig Williams, this son of Montjeu is racing in blistering form in the lower grades but this looks just a bit beyond him.
13) Pergola – Very similar story to Olympic Win. He is another going well in the lower classes and has a win over 3000 metres. His chances are better than that of some here and Dwayne Dunn rides for Colin and Cindy Alderson from Cranbourne. Barrier 3 should help Pergola get to front without any hassles and he can win.
14) Saddler’s Story – The second horse brought over by Robert Smerdon and is to be ridden by big time jockey Glen Boss. Thats the first, and last positive I can find for him. He hasn’t done too much lately and is much shorter than expected. Passing on him.
15) Skystreamer – Ran a bottler first up at Caulfield behind Foxham at huge odds and followed it up with another good run behind Spinney. Since then, not too much has happened when he went to Tasmania to tackle the Hobart and Launceston Cups. Wide barrier (15) and I cant have him. Trained by Tony Vasil at Caulfield and ridden by Danny Nikolic.
16) Our Serena – Has been racing very well recently and hasn’t put a foot wrong in the lower grades. Pat Carey trains the mare at Mornington and top jock Clare Lindop is riding a mare without much of chance and a win will be a big surprise.
17) Stakhanovite – Has been sacked by JHR because he is a non-winner who is incapable of winning at Morphettville. Trained by Gary Searle and ridden by Adrian Patterson Stakhanovite just flat out cannot find it in him to crack a win at Morphettville. If he does manage to win I will be both shocked and seething.
18) Sandhill Lad – $151, trained by Barry Dunn, ridden by Justin Potter… well at least they’ve got a runner in the Adelaide Cup.
19) Kincaple – Is an O.K galloper. He is the only semi shining light in an otherwise dull six or seven in this years Adelaide Cup. Wasnt beaten far in his recent outings and Kerrin McEvoy rides for Jim Conlan of Cranbourne. Could show up and run a big race but it would take all of him and so much more.
20) Interaq – Similar to Kincaple. Trained by Neil Walsh from Mornington and ridden by Dean Yendall, he could finish top eight but wont win.
TIPS: My tip for this years Adelaide Cup are Maunatrice (6) who is a mare that is racing as well as anything and it would be a great end to a brilliant preparation if she could win. King Diamond (3) is also racing brilliantly and is deservent of the title favourite whilst Guyno (2) is as tough as nails and wont go down with out a fight. Pergola (13) can run a cheeky race and Vesper (7) is handy.
Maunatrice (6) – King Diamond (3) – Gunyo (2) – Pergola (13)
Written by Joseph Galati
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