Draw sends debutant to Adelaide

Trainer Shane Nichols made a quick decision to target Adelaide with debutant La Reine after assessing her race options for Saturday. Initially accepted for both the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) at Sandown and the Dominant Two-Year-Old Plate (1050m) at Morphettville, the choice became clear when La Reine drew barrier 15 at Sandown.

“We drew wide at Sandown, so we’ll head over to Adelaide,” Nichols said. “She trialled up well at Caulfield, but I don’t think she’s up to those topliners."

Nichols explained that dual acceptances were part of the plan, allowing them to evaluate the fields before deciding where the filly would be better placed. “The Adelaide race dresses up a bit weaker,” he noted. “She’s $151 at Sandown, whereas she’s $3.80 at Morphettville.”

The Blue Diamond Preview field features 16 runners plus an emergency, while the Adelaide event attracted just seven acceptors, making it a more appealing option for La Reine. Similarly, the Lindsay Park-trained Gin Spirit is also a dual acceptor, sitting as the $3 market leader in Adelaide but a $71 outsider at Sandown according to betting apps.

La Reine had three jump-outs earlier in her two-year-old season before taking a break and has had another three in preparation for Saturday’s race, including a win on the Caulfield Heath track on January 15.

“She’s pretty tough and durable, and I think she’ll travel over to Adelaide OK,” Nichols said. “She was a $200,000 Magic Millions purchase, so she wasn’t expensive, but dear enough. She’s well-related, out of Humidor’s family, so we’ll see how we go.”