Nigel Blackiston has put the blinkers back on Let’s Make Adeal for the Group 3 $150,000 Jack London Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday in an attempt to qualify the mare for the Caulfield Cup.

Let's Make Adeal will have the blinkers back on in the Naturalism Stakes. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Flemington trainer also has his eyes set on gaining a start in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4 after narrowly failing to qualify Let’s Make Adeal last year.

But the winner of the Naturalism Stakes is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 $2.5m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18 and that is Blackiston’s first priority.

“The blinkers are going back on and that will sharpen her so hopefully it will give her every opportunity to win this race,” Blackiston told the Sportsman.

“But we have a long way to go yet this campaign.”

“We need the cards to fall our way.”

Blackiston is hoping for better luck than last year after finishing a close second to Ruscello in the Melbourne Cup qualifying Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.

Big race rider Craig Newitt has had a late call up to ride Let’s Make Adeal after original rider Dwayne Dunn was released to ride the Team Hawkes trained Entirely Platinum who was a confirmed starter in the Naturalism Stakes after being scratched from the Group 2 $200,000 Ascend Sales Trophies Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.

Let’s Make Adeal is fitter for two runs from a spell and is ready to tackle the 2000m of the Naturalism Stakes after a ninth to Star Rolling in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16 and a sixth to Stipulate in the Listed $120,000 Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (170m) at Caulfield on August 30.

“I’m very pleased with her, she’s progressing very nicely,” Blackiston said.

“She has taken good benefit from the two runs and up to 2000m now is a much more suitable trip for her.”

Let’s Make Adeal is at the healthy odds of $17 for the Naturalism Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au who have the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig trained Spillway heading the market order at $2.90.

Entirely Platinum is on the second line of betting at $5.50 just ahead of the Gai Waterhouse trained Bonfire at $6 and Chris Waller’s Our Voodoo Prince at $6.50.

In early Caulfield Cup betting Let’s Make Adeal is marked at $81 while she is a $101 chance in the Melbourne Cup.