FEATURE PREVIEWS: ADELAIDE CUP

TRACK: Morphettville  | DISTANCE: 3200m | RAIL POSITION: True  | TRACK CONDITIONS: Good 4  | PRIZE MONEY: 350,000

The Adelaide Cup is South Australia’s longest race covering two miles (3200m)

It was first run in 1864 under Handicap Conditions. Until 2007 The Adelaide Cup was known as a Group 1 race but has since lost that status and been demoted to a Group 2.

Some notable horses that have won the Adelaide Cup include Rain Lover (1968) Hyperno (1978) Lord Reims (1987,1988,1992) and the ever popular Subzero in 1992.

4. Taramansour
10. Goldenstatewarrior
8. Newfoundland
11. Highland Blaze

Promises Kept and Commander Harry look the natural front runners while I wouldn’t be surprised to see Gai Waterhouse’s horse in Newfoundland take up an early lead and try and run them into the ground. There looks to be genuine tempo in this to set it up for some mid-fielders/backmarkers. Taramansour draws to settle much closer in running today from gate 3. 

4. Taramansour – Taramansour put the writing on the wall last start when charging from well back in the Group 3 Lord Reims over 2600m. Was forced to go a long way back from the poor gate but was getting through the line better than even. Draws to get a much closer and better run here and Phillip Stokes horses always perform well in Adelaide Cups

10. Goldenstatewarrior – Goldenstatewarrior comes from the same race when running 0.9L 4th behind Gotta Go Guru. That was more of a grinding effort from mid-field which suggests the horse is looking for this longer trip. Drops 3kg from that race and gets in the 53kg for Michael Dee. Always respect the Cairon Maher horses when he sets them for Adelaide Group race

8. Newfoundland – . Newfoundland ran a close 2nd to Taramansour two back before being no match for a dominant Deakin in the Moonee Valley Cup last time out. The first two out of that race I thought would be major Adelaide Cup players but they didn’t accept in the end. Trust Gai Waterhouse will have this horse peaking for the 3200m race and expect him to lead and prove hard to get past with the light weight for Jamie Melham.

11. Highland Blaze  – . Newfoundland ran a close 2nd to Taramansour two back before being no match for a dominant Deakin in the Moonee Valley Cup last time out. The first two out of that race I thought would be major Adelaide Cup players but they didn’t accept in the end. Trust Gai Waterhouse will have this horse peaking for the 3200m race and expect him to lead and prove hard to get past with the light weight for Jamie Melham.