Underdog Adelaide Criterion ticks the Plate wildcard

By RAY HICKSON THE underdog card has the right boxes been played by connections of classy Irish colt Adelaide ahead of his anticipated ap- pearance in tomorrow’s Cox Plate. But Coolmore Australia boss Tom Magnier says the promise of a truly run race will give the three-year-old (by northern hemisphere time) his chance. Adelaide, trained by Aidan O’Brien, brings an interest- ing record to Australia with three wins and four placings from seven starts, including a Group 1 win in America and a luckless third in a Group 2 event at Longchamp. “It is a huge ask to bring a horse out here and put him straight into Moonee Valley but in fairness to Aidan and the lads there they have him in great order,” Magnier said. “Adelaide’s races around the world have been very com- petitive, he’s never been out of the first three. “I think he is going to be competitive again but you won’t really know until the day.” Adelaide’s win in the Sec- retariat Stakes (2012m) at Ar- lington was in the left-handed direction and the colt was quite wayward, running off the track around the bend and in the straight. Criterion (left) is primed A wide alley, 13 – the same for the rematch against gate jumped from in 2000, isn’t ideal but Mag- Fawkner (right) in nier said the presence of The tomorrow’s Cox Plate Cleaner, who drew the outside alley, will ensure the 2014 Cox Plate will be an old-fashioned weight-for-age contest. three straight editions of the can win it but he is going Reid Stakes, a race he has run WFA Group 1 win on a good That has Magnier optimistic Group 1 $3m WS Cox Plate there right at his top.” in for the past two seasons. track,” Waller said. that Adelaide can produce his (2040m) but it’s been 28 years While Payne has had few “We wouldn’t swap him for “His best run was his sec- best. since the last Australian shots at a Cox Plate – his anything but the reality is ond in the Queen Elizabeth “A strong pace would defi- Derby winner was successful previous runner Gallant this is the best race in Aus- in the autumn, he came from nitely suit Adelaide,” he said. in Moonee Valley’s signature Tess finished eighth in 2008 – tralia and it takes some win- a near impossible position “It’s up to Ryan (Moore) and TRAINER David Payne race. Lloyd Williams is still trying ning,” Williams said. and really dug deep and Aidan to decide what they do wouldn’t change anything It wasn’t just any race ei- to crack it for his first after “He hasn’t put a foot out closed late over 2000m.” on the day, the draw is defi- about the Cox Plate prepara- ther – downed 40 years. of place and we made sure Royal Descent has found nitely a worry but the pace is tion of his Australian Derby fellow Kiwi Our Waverley Fawkner, who gave Wil- he had some experience one horse better in all four going to help. winner Criterion. Star in what is still regarded liams his first around the Valley.” runs this spring, a stable- “We will learn a lot from this Sure the classy four-year- as one of the greatest clashes last year, is the horse that Sydney’s leading trainer mate in the last three, and but we have bought a horse old struck a couple of wet on the Australian turf. the prominent owner hopes Chris Waller is also chas- Waller said her honesty and down who has a chance.” tracks early on this spring Payne said Criterion can break his long running ing his first Cox Plate and class can’t be questioned. Magnier said the Ballydoyle but Payne is adamant he proved with his closing sec- hoodoo. believes his three runners, “She’s a model of consis- team are experts at travelling can’t have him any better for ond behind Cox Plate favou- Among his Cox Plate Sacred Falls, Royal Descent tency albeit seconds getting horses and he isn’t surprised grand final day. rite Fawkner in the Group 1 placegetters are Mahogany, and Foreteller have all beaten by small margins,” that Adelaide has settled in “It was a bit unfortunate Caulfield Stakes (2000m) that who was narrowly beaten by earned their places. he said. well at Werribee. the first couple of runs were he is a realistic chance to- in 1995, and dual Sacred Falls was unluckily “She has won over 2400m The colt galloped over on those heavy tracks but he morrow. runner-up Zipping, who was beaten in the Crystal Mile on and is in good form and she 1200m on Tuesday, running is a horse that gets better “We are still going to need also placed third at another Cox Plate day last year and will be strong all the way to home the last 600m in 36.25. with racing,” Payne said. luck but he is going in as attempt. Waller said he’s proven him- the line.” Adelaide will remain in “We’ve targeted this race good as he can,” Payne said. The owner’s son Nick Wil- self a genuine weight-for-age Waller said Foreteller, Australia following the Cox since he won the Derby and “He’s made it here in his liams said Fawkner has had performer since. who ran fourth in the race Plate and will be trained by now we hope it works.” best form and that’s what we a perfect preparation for the “He has another Don- last year, is the type of horse Chris Waller with the Queen Prior to Shamus Award are happy about. Cox Plate including an au- caster under his belt with that will relish a tough, sol- Elizabeth Stakes in the au- last year, four-year-olds won “If he is good enough he tumn cameo in the William a bigger weight and also a idly run, 2040m. tumn his aim.

*$20 MAX BET. FIXED ODDS WIN BETS ONLY. TERMS & CONDITIONS APPLY, SEE WEBSITE FOR FULL DETAILS. THINK! ABOUT YOUR GAMBLING CHOICES. CALL GAMBLING HELP ONLINE 1800 858 858 OR YOUR LOCAL STATE GAMBLING HELPLINE. WWW.GAMBLINGHELPONLINE.ORG.AU. GAMBLE RESPONSIBLY. CARD ISSUED BY CUSCAL LIMITED ABN 95 087 822 455, AFSL 244116. FIND OUT MORE AT LADBROKES.COM.AU

9—SPORTSMAN, www.thesportsman.com.au Friday, October 24, 2014—9 V1 - SPME01Z01MA