Predicted scorching weather for Monday’s Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) presents a challenging task for local hope My Ex Mate.

The Adelaide gelding shot into contention for South Australia’s major staying race on Saturday when winning the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths in mild conditions.

But the start before in the Listed Birthday Cup the five-year-old suffered a heart fibrillation and finished 23 lengths last on a humid Adelaide Day.

Trainer Peter Blanch is convinced the conditions were what caused the Birthday Cup failure.

“He’s just a big gross horse and is always the first to start sweating in the stable on a hot day,” Blanch said after Saturday’s win.

The bad news for Blanch is current forecasts have temperatures peaking at 38C for Monday’s $400,000 feature.

Jockey Dominic Tourneur has been active on twitter regarding My Ex Mate’s Adelaide Cup chances and he admits the forecast is not ideal.

“My Ex Mate has been upgraded to my best mate #bringonadelaidecup,” Tourneur said on Saturday.

“38 degrees for Adelaide Cup Day #notideal #needcoolchange,” he added this week.

My Ex Mate will be out to improve on last year’s performance where he finished a respectable fifth to Rialya.

The son of Not A Single Doubt will carry 54kg from a tricky barrier 17 position.

He is currently a $9.50 betting chance with Ballarat gelding Tuscan Fire the favourite at $4.40.

Tuscan Fire will have to overcome some obstacles of his own including carrying a big 58.5kg weight and starting from out wide in barrier 16.

Other notable Adelaide Cup contenders include Roy Higgins Quality winner Kutchnisky and Launceston Cup runner-up Lucky Angel.