Although OTI horses have finished second in two Adelaide Cup’s during the past 15 years, the race has eluded our stable. With two quality horses lining up next Monday in the time honoured event, the horses’ respective owners hope that will be remedied.
Future Score, scratched by stewards on the advice of RVL vets from last year’s Melbourne Cup, has raced well and has been sound throughout the preparation. Matt Cumani has long thought that the horse was a natural 3200m type, and after his gallant third in the Listed Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington last Saturday, he is convinced he will stay the journey. With the rise in weights at acceptances, the 7yo will carry 57kgs with Declan Bates in the saddle.
Daqiansweet Junior has been a revelation for OTI and his owners since joining Phillip Stokes’ stable late last year. The winner of four of his last five races, the 4yo was an unlucky second last time out in the Listed Torney Night Cup at The Valley. The effort left Phillip and jockey, Jamie Kah with no doubt that he too will run out the 3200m journey. Jamie retains the ride in her ‘home town’ Cup, whereas Phillip hopes to go back-to-back following his success with Good Idea last year.
Daqiansweet Junior and @jamieleekah07 get the job done!@pstokesracing pic.twitter.com/jdb4jnhO3e
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) January 22, 2022
A superior run by either horse will open the option to go onto the Sydney Cup, when the likely wetter track, so often the case in the Sydney autumn, will suit both horses.
Previously held in May, the Adelaide Cup, first ran in 1864, moved to the long weekend in March around 15 years ago. The move unfortunately did not improve the esteem associated with the race and eventually it was downgraded to Group 2 status. It’s fortunes were not helped by the fact that the last Adelaide Cup winner to go onto win the Melbourne Cup was Subzero in 1992.
A strong contingent of owners from the east will descend on Adelaide in the hope that either Future Score or Daqiansweet Junior will salute. There’s little doubt that should that happen, few will be returning on Monday night.
