Adrift has already beaten First Seal this preparation and trainer Gai Waterhouse believes that the talented filly is capable of recording another upset win when she steps up to 2000 metres for the first time in the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Adrift has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Adrift went into the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 14 at a lengthy quote of $61, but she showed impressive acceleration to run away from First Seal in the final stages and record an upset win.
The Zabeel filly has been unable to replicate that form in either the Group 2 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 or the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 145, but Waterhouse said in her weekly column that she believes that the three-year-old is perfectly suited by the conditions of the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m) this weekend and can go to another level in the $400,000 event.
“Adrift has already won a Group 2 event this time in, but she is yet to reach her peak,” Waterhouse said.
“I have said all along that she is an Oaks filly and the 2000m of the Vinery on Saturday will suit her perfectly in the lead up to the Oaks.
“She will be wearing blinkers which traditionally sharpen up the progeny of Zabeel and I have no doubt she will be much more focused on Saturday.”
Adrift is currently available at 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes odds of $9 and has been the early market mover with Ladbrokes after opening at $10 when the final field for the Group 1 event was released on Wednesday.
First Seal is currently a clear favourite in 2015 Vinery Stud Stakes betting markets at a quote of $1.95 from Chris Waller-trained Winx ($6.50), Crown Oaks winner Set Square ($9), Thousand Guineas winner Amicus ($13), the consistent Fenway ($17), last starter winner Ballet Suite ($21) and early drifter Slightly Sweet ($21).
Waterhouse is chasing her third win in the Vinery Stud Stakes after previously taking out the Group 1 event with Shower Of Roses in 2003 and Tempest Morn in 2001, while she finished in the placings with Forever Loved (third in 2014), Gold Water (second in 2009), Beauty Watch (second in 2006), Lotteria (second in 2005), Shamekha (second in 2004), For The Moment (third in 1998) and Assertive Lass (third in 1997).
