The Darren Weir trained Master Of Arts has staked strong claims for the Group 2 $400,000 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 13 after a tough win at Morphettville last Saturday.
The Darren Weir trained Master Of Arts, above, is one of the top fancies for the Adelaide Cup at Morphettville. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Jockey John Allen was able to lift Master Of Arts to the winning post in the main Adelaide Cup lead up race to record a long neck win over $26 outsider Puccini in the Group 3 $120,000 James Boag’s Premium Lord Reims Stakes (2600m).
Master Of Arts was sent out as the $2.50 favourite and Allen was able to position the Mastercraftsman five year old in the perfect position in the box seat just behind the leaders.
Michelle Payne on Spur On Gold took up the running at the winning post the first time and lead the field out of the straight before Kate Walters put more speed into the race at the 1200m when she let Puccini stride to the front.
Allen let Master Of Arts start to stride forward coming to the home and after easing over the leader’s heels had a clear run to the line.
But Puccini wasn’t going to give in without a fight and Allen had to pull everything out on Master Of Arts to claim victory.
Jim’s Journey ($17) and Mail It In ($4.40) both made up plenty of ground from back in the field to finish third and fourth, also producing good Adelaide Cup trials.
Weir’s stable representative Jarrod McLean was very pleased with the wining effort of Master Of Arts who is now on the second line of betting at $6 for the Adelaide Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au.
“He can certainly stay, so that’s really important,” McLean told The Advertiser.
“We’ll see you back here on Monday week.”
The Robert Hickmott trained Bondi Beach heads up the Adelaide Cup market order at $5 and is one of four Lloyd Williams owned horse nominated for the feature two mile.
Williams and Hickmott’s other Adelaide Cup nominations are Chance To Dance at $11, Assign at $15 and Gallante at $21.
Lord Reims Stakes runner up Puccini is marked at the long odds of $41 while Jim‘s Journey and Mail It In are both rated $17 chances.
Early market order for the Adelaide Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au: $5 Bondi Beach, $6 Master Of Arts, $9 Annus Mirabilis, $11 Chance To Dancer, $15 Assign, Cadillac Mountain, De Little Engine, $17 Jim’s Journey, Mail It In, $21 Gallante, $26 Almoonqith, Darabad, $31 Honey Steel’s Gold, Oncidium Ruler, Second Bullet, $34 or better the rest.
The final field for the Adelaide Cup will be released on Wednesday, March 8, 2017.
