Boss is the key for Cooldini in Adelaide Cup

Big race jockey Glen Boss is the key for Cooldini to overcome an awkward barrier at his first attempt at 3200m when he lines up in the Group 2 $400,000 Tattsbet Adelaide Cup at Morphettville today.

Cooldini with Glen Boss is one of the main chances in the Adelaide Cup.

Cooldini with Glen Boss is one of the main chances in the Adelaide Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Cooldini will jump from gate nine in the thirteen horse field following the scratchings of Unchain My Heart, Aggregator and Waltzing To Win and trainer Robert Smerdon is relying on Boss to give the Bernardini four year old a good run just off the pace.

“The barrier is a little awkward but that is why we leave it to the expertise of good jockeys,” Smerdon told the Herald Sun.

“The 3200m has to be a query because he’s never done it, he ran a strong 2600m the other day but he’s ready to run a big race.”

Cooldini is stepping up to the 3200m for the first time but wins over 2500m and 2600m have given Smerdon confidence that the gelding will get the extra distance on the big Morphettville track after failing to handle the tight Mornington track two starts back when seventh in the Listed $350,000 Mornington Cup (2400m) at Mornington on February 12.

Cooldini then came out and won on the spacious Flemington track in the Listed $120,000 Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 1.

“I think it just demonstrated that he’s big track horse,’’ Smerdon said.

“He won his maiden at Bendigo, won by a big margin at Sandown and he’s a winner at Flemington.’’

“Morphettville is a good track for him.’’

Cooldini at $3.10, holds a slight advantage over Big Memory at $3.30 in the Ladbrokes.com.au Adelaide Cup market order.

Big Memory, to be ridden by Craig Williams, comes to Morphettville with two wins and a second from his last three starts and is also stepping up to 3200m for the first time.

The Tony McEvoy trained four year old scored three starts back in restricted company over 1900m at Canterbury before running second to Travolta in the Listed $100,000 Vili’s Pies Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Randwick on January 25.

Big Memory then returned to the winner’s stall with a three lengths victory in the Listed $150,000 ADAPT Australia Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley on February 21.

McEvoy is also relying on Williams to help Big Memory run out the 3200m.

“I think the most important thing in big staying Cups is having a good jockey and I’m thrilled to have Craig Williams riding,’’ McEvoy said.

The Nigel Blackiston trained Outback Joe is next in the betting at $7 after finishing third to Cooldini in the Roy Higgins Quality.

The six year old should have no problem running out the 3200m being out of the great staying mare Let’s Elope and also scored a two and a quarter lengths win in the Listed $150,000 Bagot Handicap over 2800m at Flemington on January 1.

2012 Adeliade Cup winner Rialya has been marked as a $15 chance following his last start seventh to Distillation in the Group 3 $115,000 James Boag’s Premium Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville on March 1.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.