Leading jockey Hugh Bowman believes that Adelaide is on track for the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes after he partnered the Cox Plate winner in a trackwork gallop at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Adelaide will have his first race start since his memorable Cox Plate victory when he contests the 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Royal Randwick on April 11. Photo by: Sarah Ebbett
Adelaide worked alongside a stablemate from the 2000 metre mark on the outside of the course proper at Rosehill Gardens before he was asked to pick up to three-quarter pace at the 500 metre mark.
The Galileo entire failed to respond when asked for an extra effort by Bowman in his two previous barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens on February 17 and Warwick Farm on March 12, but Bowman told Sky Racing Radio that Adelaide responded well in the final stages of his gallop this morning and ran through the line strongly.
Bowman will not ride Adelaide when he returns racing in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, with leading British hoop Ryan Moore booked to take the ride, but Bowman was still happy to indicate that the four-year-old felt like he was on track to perform strongly in the $4 million event.
“I have been doing most of his work with him,” Bowman said.
“He galloped between races with Royal Descent about three weeks ago, but it was the first time that I sat on him since his last trial and he feels to me that he has really sharpened up to be honest.
“This morning he zipped up the last 2 in sub 23 on the outside of the course proper and it feels to me that he has really sharpened up.
“The three times I have been on him prior to this morning he hasn’t shown me that he has a nice turn-of-foot, but this morning he really did and he ran through the line strongly.
“I think that he is going the right way for sure.
“You will have to see him at the races before you see the best of him because he is a laidback customer, a very idle animal and he just seems to do what he has to.”
Adelaide was a clear favourite in 2015 Queen Elizabeth Stakes betting markets when the market was first released at the end of last year, but he has been a big drifter in the betting market with Ladbrokes and is now available at a quote of $9 to take out the Group 1 event, while Japanese galloper To The World ($3.80) is a narrow favourite from the in-form Contributer ($4.20).
