Adelaide On Track To Resume In George Ryder Stakes

Adelaide is on track to return to racing in the 2015 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 and continues to impress connections with the way that he has adjusted to his new environment in Australia.

Cox Plate winner Adelaide is set to contest the George Ryder Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Cox Plate winner Adelaide is set to contest the George Ryder Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett

Adelaide was sent straight to the spelling paddock following his memorable win in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 and reportedly took plenty of benefit in his first stint away from his stable.

Trainer Chris Waller has brought Adelaide up slowly since he returned from the spelling paddock and Coolmore Australia Racing Manager James Bester told TVN that the Cox Plate winner will likely be given a soft barrier trial in Sydney within the next fortnight before having a more serious trial ahead of the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

“He’s delighting Chris Waller, firstly with his adaptation to his environment and the way of doing things here,” Bester said.

“Chris said the key to them is how they cope with the different routines we impose on them here, but he said this horse hasn’t turned a hair.

“His coat is just starting to turn; his biorhythmic system still thinks he’s in the northern hemisphere.

“Honestly, they are delighted with him so far, but obviously the acid test will come when he’s asked to work faster and put under pressure.”

Adelaide has been included in the nominations for both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 4 and the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at the same venue a week later, but the $4 million weight-for-age event is set to be the major Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival goal for the Galileo entire.

Adelaide made his racing debut under the care of Aidan O’Brien with a win in Ireland at the end of 2013 and finished second in the Group 2 Prix Hocquart (2200m) in just his second race start before he recorded a maiden win at black type level in the Gallinule Stakes (2012m) at Curragh in May last year.

The four-year-old finished second in both the Group 2 King Edward VIII Stakes (2414m) at Royal Ascot and the Group 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (2011m) before he scored his maiden win at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Secretariat Stakes (2011m) at Arlington on August 16.

Adelaide finished third in the Group 2 Prix Niel (2400m) at Longchamp on September 14 before he took out the Cox Plate after working around the entire field from the 1000 metre mark in a most impressive performance.

Adelaide is currently available at 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes odds of $6.50 with Ladbrokes Australia and is on the second line of betting behind Japanese star To The World.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.