Phillip Stokes opts for City Of Adelaide Handicap with Arran Bay

Phillip Stokes, the trainer, is confident that the Adelaide Listed race aligns better with his resilient galloper Arran Bay.

Opting for the Listed City Of Adelaide Handicap (1529m) at Morphettville on Saturday instead of the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) in Caulfield.

Although allocated 57.5kg at Caulfield, Arran Bay shoulders 61kg as topweight in Adelaide, but Stokes views the Morphettville assignment as more favorable despite the heavier load.

This nearing eight-year-old triumphed in the Listed C S Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) at Morphettville March 9, then placed fourth on soft ground at Flemington March 28.

A key reason for choosing Morphettville is jockey Lachlan Neindorf's availability, with the locally grown rider home for Saturday engagements.

"We just feel the City Of Adelaide Handicap over the 1500 metres, it suits him better," Stokes said.

"Lachie is going over also and couldn't ride him at Caulfield, so it works out well.

"While I think the mile is OK and earlier in his career he won over further, I think the 1500 metres to the mile is his go now being a bit older.

"I feel going over there it will be a softer option for him to try and get another win.

"He tried hard at Flemington the other day and the drier ground suits him better that soft now being an older horse."

Arran Bay began in Adelaide, victorious twice in his initial four races, before transferring to Melbourne and taking the Silver Bowl Final at Flemington as a three-year-old.

After focusing on Melbourne campaigns in later seasons, he revisited Adelaide for the previous Carnival, placing second in an April handicap and again second in May's Group 3 Cummings Stakes (1600m).

May 9 marks this year's running of the Cummings Stakes.

With 43 race appearances, Arran Bay boasts 10 wins, 13 places, and earnings exceeding $1 million.

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