Adelaide Cup remains target for burdened Berkeley Square
Dan O'Sullivan, trainer of Berkeley Square, along with the horse's connections, have stuck to their guns on the Adelaide Cup despite the stern weight and barrier one position.
The trainer honed his skills in Adelaide before shifting base to Ballarat, where he claimed the 2008 Adelaide Cup via Lacey Underall.
That said, the upcoming Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville on Monday would mean even more with most owners hailing from Adelaide.
The mounting yard went berserk after Berkeley Square's repeat Ballarat Cup (2000m) victory back in December, but expect total mayhem if the six-year-old salutes on Monday.
"It would be good to go back and do it again, especially for his owners who are Adelaide based," O'Sullivan said.
"Some haven’t seen race for a little while."
Still, Berkeley Square confronts a tough assignment.
With 59.5kg to carry, the gelding exceeds the loads of 1.5kg that Hyperno (1978) and Gallic (2007) managed in their metric-era triumphs post-1973.
On the positive side, the 53kg bottom weight marks a 3kg increase from Bohemiath's era at century's turn, even as Gallic overcame a 53kg floor.
The gelding qualified for Adelaide by lugging 61.5kg successfully over 2500m at Flemington February 14, repeating with jockey Luke Nolen on Monday.
"It was a good ride," O'Sullivan said.
"He looked after the horse and made sure he ran the trip out with the view of going up to two miles.
"I've got no problems with the trip. I think he can do whatever we want him to do.
"He's never done that and you want to see it, but it won’t be easy with the weight, but he is a big bugger, and he has the form on the board.
"He is a Group 2 winner and has done a lot more than some of the others in the race."
Post-Flemington, all has been seamless for O'Sullivan's charge, with a few gallops ensuring Berkeley Square stays on song.
"I'm happy with where he’s at and we’ve just got to get him over there safely and he’ll be right to go," O'Sullivan said.
Visit online bookmakers to find the keenest markets for the Adelaide Cup.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...