Dictionary on path towards the G2 Adelaide Cup
Dictionary has a chance to secure a spot in the Adelaide Cup when he heads to Morphettville for a key lead-up race.
Trainer John Moloney is using the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) this Saturday as a trial for Dictionary ahead of the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on March 10.
"If he was to perform in this race, then it would be logical for us to take a chance to run in the Adelaide Cup," Moloney said.
"If he was to run one, two or three, then you would think he could be a chance to return."
Dictionary, a half-brother to the iconic Makybe Diva, has the staying pedigree to tackle the 3200m of the Adelaide Cup.
After a win at Mornington three starts ago, Dictionary performed below expectations at Sandown over 2100m on January 25 and followed up with a fifth-place finish over 2400m the following week.
Moloney noted that Dictionary had a tough run in that race, which affected his recovery, but the gelding has bounced back well.
"Goldenstatewarrior is well in the market, and it just beat us home at Sandown last start with us having a tough run, sitting three-wide and then going up outside the leader," Moloney said.
"That’s why we’ve waited three weeks to run him again."
"The race he ran in was a back-up from the week before, so with that in mind we decided to let him settle down a bit after two runs close together."
"He did a bit of swimming and that helped freshen him up after that run, but I would like to think that wherever Goldenstatewarrior finishes, we wouldn’t be too far from it."
"Our horse can stay well, and it will be a nice test to see where he sits amongst this group of horses."
Moloney believes that most of the horses in the Listed Torney Night Cup (2500m) at Moonee Valley will also be contenders for the Adelaide Cup 2025.
"You would think these are the sort of horses on Saturday and those in the Torney Cup would be the ones going around in the Adelaide Cup," Moloney noted.
"Hopefully he can run well on Saturday and give a bit of a sight as a lead up into the Adelaide Cup."
More Racing News
Augustus and Desert Hero debut in Flemington feature
While the Australian Cup Prelude at Flemington doesn't carry the weight of the day's opening races, it has the potential to highlight future stars for major events ahead.Ciaron Maher will launch two newcomers from overseas in the Saturday 2000m race – Augustus and Desert Hero.Desert Hero already has Australian experience,...
Robbie Griffiths plans VRC Sires' Produce Stakes tilt with Almost An Angel
For the youngsters, the VRC Sires' Produce Stakes provides the debut opportunity to tackle a genuine journey.Now that the Blue Diamond Stakes, Victoria's top juvenile prize, has been run and captured last month, attention shifts for the fast two-year-olds to the Golden Slipper up in Sydney.Robbie Griffiths, however, set his...
Ipswich Friday features prepared Sir Maurice
With an advantageous claim on weight and a competitor set for a win, Jack Bruce is eager for Sir Maurice to perform at Ipswich this coming Friday.Marking his fifth run this campaign, the five-year-old offspring of champion Japanese sire Maurice enters the Great Northern Benchmark 65 Handicap (1200m) for an...
Blinkers and McDonald for Hidrix in key Todman Stakes before Golden Slipper
Hidrix, once the top pick for the Golden Slipper, faces two major tweaks for his engagement in the Todman Stakes at Randwick: blinkers fitted and James McDonald in the saddle.Although McDonald guided stable companion Confederation during the Canonbury Stakes (1100m) Hidrix won and the Silver Slipper (1100m), he'll switch to...
Filly Caffe Florian emerges as next talent for Richard Litt
Though Richard Litt runs a modest team in numbers, he has proven adept at pinpointing quality performers.Responsible for training dual Group 1 champion Castelvecchio and Profondo's 2021 Spring Champion Stakes success, the Warwick Farm conditioner now seems to hold a fresh prospect in developing filly Caffe Florian.The three-year-old by Snitzel...
Waller's entrants set for All-Star Mile at Flemington
Leading handler Chris Waller embraces the All-Star Mile format since its promotion to Group 1.Launched back in 2019, the All-Star Mile moved between key Melbourne venues and mirrored Japan's Arima Kinen by letting the public choose their top pick.Changes were implemented in later years, and Waller entered sparingly.Securing Group 1...
Mark Zahra backs Tentyris to overcome weight in Newmarket
Mark Zahra, the jockey, doesn't see the allocated weight for Tentyris as a barrier to the colt capturing the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.To win the Group 1 1200m event at Flemington on Saturday, Tentyris must replicate the weight record set by Ajax back in 1938.The 57kg impost matches what Fastnet...
Freedman eyes Ninja's mile potential in Randwick Guineas
Michael Freedman counts on Ninja getting forward in the run as an essential element boosting his shot at the Group One Randwick Guineas.Unlike key challengers Autumn Boy and Attica, who prefer to come from off the pace, Ninja showed his flexibility in the Hobartville Stakes (1400m) by tracking the pacesetter...
Experienced Coal Crusher set for Newcastle Stakes challenge
If Coal Crusher maintains his strong connection with the Newcastle venue, he could provide Joe Pride with an excellent beginning to his weekend on a prominent regional racing occasion.On a quick six-day freshen-up from his Liverpool City Cup (1300m) defeat at Randwick, the gelding lines up in Friday's Group 3...
Rawiller's decision spotlights Lady Shenandoah's Canterbury Stakes bid
With Ciaron Maher readying Gringotts for his seasonal reappearance in the Canterbury Stakes at Randwick, another jockey has accidentally boosted the credentials of a prominent rival entrant.Nash Rawiller built an impressive alliance with Gringotts late in his previous campaign, notching successive wins in the Big Dance and The Gong.They were...