Trainer Nigel Blackiston is confident that progressive mare Let’s Make Adeal is a genuine winning chance in the 2014 Australian Cup at Flemington on Saturday and is not just in the race to make up the numbers.

Trainer Nigel Blackiston is expecting an improved performance from Let's Make Adeal in the Australian Cup at Flemington this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Let’s Make Adeal started her autumn campaign with a slightly disappointing eighth behind Fiorente in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 22, but has previously been competitive at weight-for-age level; finishing fourth in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and third in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.

Blackiston told Racing Ahead this morning that he believes Let’s Make Adeal will be suited by the return to Flemington and is expecting an improved performance in the Australian Cup this weekend.

“I can’t see any reason why she couldn’t,” Blackiston said when asked if Let’s Make Adeal was a legitimate winning chance.

“She is not just in there to make up the numbers and I was happy enough with her first-up run.

“Back at Flemington over 2000 metres I think that she will be a lot happier.

“She did a nice solid piece of work on Tuesday morning with a partner and found the line strongly.

“She had a six furlong gallop this morning; Michael Rodd came and rode her and was very happy with her.

“She is doing well enough to be competitive on Saturday.”

Blackiston believes that there is still plenty of improvement in front of Let’s Make Adeal and is hopeful that after running in the Australian Cup the daughter of Red Ransom will be at peak fitness for her major 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival goals – the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5 and the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 19.

“I think that there is a lot more improvement in her,” Blackiston said.

“I am looking to head up to Sydney for The BMW and maybe the Sydney Cup, so this is another stepping stone.”

Despite Blackiston’s confidence, Let’s Make Adeal is currently rated the extreme outsider in 2014 Australian Cup betting markets and is available at a quote of $61 to join her grandam Let’s Elope as a winner of the Group 1 event.