Outside chance Ominous has produced a keen turn of foot in the final straight to comfortably win the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) at South Australia’s Morphettville Racecourse this afternoon, ahead of well-trialled stallion Zabeelionaire and Vima.
Outside chance Ominous comfortably wins the Listed Port Adelaide Cup. Photo by Jenny Barnes
Jumping from the gates only fairly, the Oasis Dream gelding was forced to settle well within the pack, more than eight lengths off the pace of early leaders Mujadale and Dylanson, who set a reasonable tempo.
Rounding onto the final straight particularly wide, Ominous appeared well-and-truly out of contention until finding a clear line and exploding from the pack, finding the line more than four lengths in the clear.
Trainer Nigel Blackiston was thrilled with Ominous’s performance in the 2014 Port Adelaide Cup, and revealed he had always been quietly confident in success today immediately after the race.
“We gave him three runs as a colt over the spring, and they were nice runs but once we’ve gelded him he’s acclimatized” Blackiston said after the 2014 Port Adelaide Cup.
“This preparation he’s learned to relax and he’s definitely going places.
“He had good form in France … He’s got a nice staying ability; he’s won twice in the mile and a half in France and on a wet track as well, so I was quietly confident he’d go well today.
“We’re heading towards the Andrew Ramsden in two weeks over two miles at Flemington.”
Dictating the pace for a good portion of the Port Adelaide Cup, Zabeelionaire was impressive when maintaining a strong sprint for second this afternoon, arguably recording his most positive result for more than a year.
The winner of three races and placing in a further three over 26 career starts to date, the Zabeel entire has been included in early nominations for several events over the 2014 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival, and appears to have found good form in perfect time.
Producing a good turn of foot to run on for third in the Port Adelaide Cup, Vima has returned to racing in career best form over his current preparation; winning the Listed Birthday Cup (2250m) ahead of classy competition most notably prior to today’s positive effort.
