Tassie’s number one stayer Eastender heads the twenty horse field for the 2019 Group 2 $400,000 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on Saturday.
The Barry Campbell trained Eastender is the winner of his last four starts in the Apple Ilse which includes the Hobart Cup – Launceston Cup double.
The five year old is stepping up to the 3200m for the first time but went to the line strongly at the end of the 2400m of the Launceston Cup indicating the he will be able to handle the extra distance of the 3200m Adelaide Cup.
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Fabrizio had to settle for second in the Launceston Cup but does share the 58kg top weight with Eastender in the capacity Adelaide Cup field of twenty plus one emergency.
We have analysed the entire field set to contest the 3200m Group 2 Adelaide Cup and our 2019 Adelaide Cup tips can be found below.
Eastender
Tassie’s leading stayer Eastender is stepping up to the 3200m of the Adelaide Cup for the first time but the way that he rounded out the 2400m for the Hobart Cap and the Launceston Cup gave every indication that he will handle the extra distance. The Barry Campbell trained five year is racing in outstanding form and is one of the main chances again. Has drawn awkwardly at barrier eighteen in the capacity twenty-horse field but Craig Newitt should be able to slot in mid-field and get a nice run.
Update: Eastender has been scratched from the 2019 Adelaide Cup.
Fabrizio
Noted front runner Fabrizio set the pace in the Launceston Cup but couldn’t hold out the strong finish of Eastender and had to settle for the runner’s up cheque. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained seven year old looks the likely leader again and meets Eastender slightly better at the weights but will be facing a tough task to lead all of the way in the two mile staying test.
Bondeiger
Bondeiger has a 4kg weight advantage on the equal top weights Eastender and Fabrizio (58kg) and raced into Adelaide Cup contention with a stylish win in the main lead up race in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes over 2600m at Morphettville last Saturday. James Winks will give the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained stayer a cosy run from barrier two and he will be strong at the finish and is one of the main chances.
Naval Warfare
English import Naval Warfare is yet to win beyond 2400m but has been racing consistently in weaker company recently with two wins and three placings from his last five starts. The Chris Waller trained Naval Warfare couldn’t match it with emerging stayer Schabau in the 2600m Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington last Saturday and place chances appear best again.
Aloft
Aloft was a winner over the two miles at Ascot in England before arriving in Australia but faded at the end of the 2600m of the Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington last Saturday after setting the pace to finished in fourth spot, seven and three quarter lengths from the winner Schabau. Looks tested again.
Lamborghini
Lamborghini chased home Eastender in both the Hobart Cup, second, and the Launceston Cup, third, but was doing his best work at the finish last start and is not the worst. Will get back again and with the lightweight of 53kg will be running on at the end of the 3200m and can figure in the finish again.
Sylpheed
Sylpheed has limited staying experience with her best effort being a last start second to Bondeiger over 2600m in the Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville last Saturday. Will be tested at the 3200m for the first time but might be one for the exotics.
Olympic Academy
Olympic Academy has won up to 2500m in restricted class and was well beaten last Saturday at Morphettville when seventh of eight behind Bondeiger in the 2600m Lord Reims Stakes.
Double Bluff
The Aaron Purcell trained Double Bluff is lining up for his third Adelaide Cup after performing creditably with a second in 2017 following by a fourth last year and has to be given each way claims on those staying efforts. The eight year old heads back to Morphettville on the back of a last start fifth to Schabau in the 2600m Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington last Saturday.
Top Of The Range
Top Of The Range has two placings and a win in restricted class from his last three starts and has place claims again on his last start third to Schahau in the 2600m Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington.
Aagas
Aagas has won up to 2400m but never threatened last start when fourth to Bondeiger in the 2600m Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville. No easier here.
Dawn Raid
Dawn Raid was always near the tail of the field and looks tested here on his last start tenth of ten in the 2000m Mornington Cup Prelude at Caulfield on Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes Day.
Khezerabad
Khezerabad is a 3200m hurdle winner in England before heading to Australia and the Aaron Purcell trained seven year old tuned up for Saturday’s Adelaide Cup with a last start third in a BenchMark 80 Handicap over 3000m at The Valley.
Exalted Lightning
Exalted Lightning has been way off the mark of late and failed to beat a runner home last start when eighth to Bondiger in the 2600m Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville last Saturday.
Azurite
Azurite was placed twice in restricted grade before a last start fifth in the Lord Reims Stakes. Harder here.
Surprise Baby
It would be a big surprise if Surprise Baby was able to knock off the more fancied stayers in the Adelaide Cup coming off a last start fourth in restricted class over 2000m at Flemington.
Franked
Franked was a last start four lengths winner at Morphettville in a BenchMark 82 Handicap over 2400m and it wouldn’t surprise to see the five year old running on late.
October Date
October Date is a five times winner on the Morphettville Track and mixes his runs on the flat and over the jumps with his best recent effort being his last start third to Bondeiger in the Lord Reims Stakes over 2600m at Morphettville.
Bon Equus
Bon Equus looks well out of his comfort zone coming off a last start sixth in restricted grade at Morphettville.
Henry The Dolphin
Henry The Dolphin’s recent form suggests that he will be swimming with the tailenders in the Adelaide Cup.
Pat The Weapon
Pat The Weapon has reasonable restricted class form but is well out of his grade here.