Trainer Phillip Stokes believes the Listed event in Adelaide will suit his tough galloper Arran Bay more appropriately.
The Listed City Of Adelaide Handicap (1529m) at Morphettville this Saturday was selected over the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) at Caulfield.
Arran Bay drew 57.5kg for Caulfield but carries topweight of 61kg in Adelaide, yet Stokes considers the local race a superior choice regardless of the extra burden.
The veteran eight-year-old claimed victory in the Listed C S Hayes Memorial Cup (1600m) at Morphettville on March 9, followed by a fourth-place finish on a soft surface at Flemington on March 28.
Additionally, the presence of jockey Lachlan Neindorf, an Adelaide native returning home for Saturday’s rides, influenced the decision to target Morphettville.
“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 launched his career in Adelaide with two wins from four outings before heading to Melbourne, where he secured the Silver Bowl Final at Flemington in his three-year-old season.
Primarily racing in Melbourne thereafter, he came back to Adelaide last year’s Carnival, finishing runner-up in an April handicap and then second in the Group 3 Cummings Stakes (1600m) in May.
The Cummings Stakes this year is scheduled for May 9.
Arran Bay has competed 43 times, achieving 10 victories and 13 placings, earning just over $1 million in prizemoney.
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