Refectory will be making his debut at Group level in the 2015 Adelaide Cup, but trainer Richard Laming is confident that the imported galloper can win the Group 2 event at Morphettville this afternoon.
Refectory will face the toughest test of his career to date in the 2015 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville. Photo by: Adrienne Bicknell
Refectory joined the Laming stable at the end of 2013 after started his racing debut under the care of Andrew Balding in the United Kingdom and he has been a consistent performer in his ten race starts in Australia, against much weaker competition then he will face in the Adelaide Cup this afternoon.
The Danehill Dancer gelding relished the step-up to 2400 metres when he took out the Kieran And Chris Plate (2400m) at Sandown on March 4 and Laming told Racing.com that the five-year-old is more than capable of springing an upset over the 3200 metres of the Adelaide Cup with just 53 kilograms on his back.
“We know he’s a natural stayer,” Laming said.
“He’s a good light weight chance.
“Some of the ones to beat are carrying top weight and that can be a big ask over the two miles for any horse.
“He’s had a good preparation, been lightly raced and drawn the inside barrier which always helps.
“The biggest positive factor is that he’s an English stayer who will come into his own over this distance.”
“If he gets the right run and it plays out the way that suits him, then he’s a good chance but we will have to wait and see.
“I absolutely think he can win it.”
Refectory recorded one race win from his four starts in the United Kingdom before he made his Australian racing debut with a sixth place finish in the Wealth Directions Plate (1800m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 4 and he performed well in two subsequent starts at the provincial venue before he recorded his maiden race win in Australia in the Drumbeats At Lyndhurst Plate (2140m) at Doomben on June 11.
The five-year-old has raced exclusively in Victoria during his summer preparation and he finished in the placings in both the City Of Ballarat Handicap (2200m) on January 28 and the Appelles Handicap (2100m) at Sandown on February 18 before he returned to winning form in the Kieran And Chris Plate.
Refectory is currently available at 2015 Adelaide Cup odds of $19 with Ladbrokes, while Taiyoo ($4.20) is a narrow favourite from Lucky Lucky Lucky ($4.80), Renew ($5) and Crime Fighter ($7.50).
