South Australian racing expert Terry McAuliffe has Real Love on top of his 2016 Adelaide Cup tips, but he believes that it is Like A Carousel that is the value runner in the Group 2 event at Morphettville this afternoon.
Like A Carousel will return to his pet distance for the 2016 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Like A Carousel failed to fire in both Thebigscreencompany Handicap (1800m) at Caulfield on February 13 and the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 5, but the Helike gelding is one of only a few horses in the race that is a proven performer over 3200 metres.
The six-year-old produced the best performance of his racing career to date when he finished third behind Grand Marshal and Who Shot Thebarman in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) last year and he has finished no worse than fourth in his three starts over 3200 metres in the Listed Sandown Cup, with the grinding stayer finishing second in both 2013 and 2014.
McAuliffe told Radio TAB that both Real Love and Up Cups are unproven over 3200 metres ahead of the 2016 Adelaide Cup and he said that he would prefer to throw his support behind a proven performer at the testing trip.
“The situation with the favourite Real Love and Up Cups is that they are running the two miles today for the first time and yes they will all get it, but how quickly they will get it is the question,” McAuliffe said.
“It is a test going to the two miles for the first time and that is why I think a horse like Like A Carousel has a chance at big odds today.
“He is at $21 and I know he doesn’t win out of turn, but you are talking about a horse that has had six runs over 3200 metres for three placings and his most recent run over 3200 metres was at Sandown in the Cup when he ran fourth.
“He is a horse that I am looking at that might be over the odds.”
Like A Carousel is currently available at 2016 Adelaide Cup odds of $17 with Ladbrokes, while Darren Weir-trained Real Love ($2.25) is a clear favourite from Torney Night Cup winner Swacadelic ($8.50), Tasmanian star Up Cups ($9.50), Peter Blanch-trained Jim’s Journey ($13), last start winner Last Wish ($13), the consistent Lucques ($14) and experienced gelding Gamblin’ Guru ($17).
