Star South Australian galloper Dalasan will step out beyond a mile for the first time at Morphettville on Saturday – and the stable expects him to shine.
Issues surrounding the COVIT-19 situation have seen trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas revert to Plan B for the autumn, and Sydney’s loss is Adelaide’s gain.
The 3YO colt – already with three Group wins to his name and over $2 million in the bank – will start favourite in Saturday’s Listed 1800m Dominant Port Adelaide Guineas, after an outstanding run in the All-Star Mile at Caulfield on March 14, when he endured a wide run, but still finished fifth, just 1.6 lengths from winner Fifty Stars.
“He showed in the All-Star Mile that he’s at that level – he made a pretty sustained run to the line,” Andrew said.
“So, back to Listed three-year-old company augers well.
“He’s going really well. We’re really happy with the way he’s prepared and we’re excited for him to resume racing in South Australia.
“You’d think if he gives his best he’d be right in the finish.”
The Guineas is a lead-up to the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes over 2000m on April 25 and possibly the Group 1 TAB South Australian Derby over 2500m next month. However, the stable is yet to commit beyond Saturday’s race.
“We’ll see what happens after Saturday heading towards the Chairman’s,” Andrew said.
“We’ll make some decisions about whether we need to continue after that.”
Dalasan has drawn ideally on Saturday in barrier four for jockey Jason Holder, who will become the sixth hoop to ride the son of Dalakhani on race day.
“Barrier four at the 1800m start at Morphettville gives you a good, long run, so he can position up wherever he’s comfortable travelling,” Andrew said.
“I’m sure he’ll get every chance to hit the line.”
Andrew said he hoped a couple of other runners would also fly the flag for the stable during the 2020 Autumn Racing Carnival.
“Probably Waging War will appear somewhere,” he said.
“He’s being prepared and isn’t that far away. Him and Dalasan are probably the two major ones.
“And there’s Tequila Time, if he can stand up to the standard. He hit the line well (last Saturday at Morphettville Parks).
“Lumping these weights is another thing we have to get our heads around, but carrying that weight, he did well – he just dwelt at the start a little bit.”
Tequila Time has accepted for the Listed Manihi Classic over 1100m at Morphettville on Saturday, but has drawn wide and could possibly be reserved for another day.
