Ballarat conditioner Dan O’Sullivan is conscious of the path forward in his pursuit of the Adelaide Cup with the gelding Berkeley Square.
After securing a placing at Caulfield over 2000m last Saturday, Berkeley Square takes a fast follow-up at Flemington on Saturday in the Be Captivated Trophy (2500m).
O’Sullivan indicated that the priority is to ready Berkeley Square perfectly for the Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) at Morphettville come March 9.
Traditionally, the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville on February 21 leads into the Adelaide Cup, but O’Sullivan aims to sidestep two Adelaide visits with Berkeley Square to protect the gelding’s campaign.
“It’s about getting the miles into the legs before the Adelaide Cup, so that’s why I’m running him on Saturday,” O’Sullivan said.
“The Lord Reims would quite possibly be a suitable race for him, but I don’t want to do two trips, I don’t want to go over, come home and then go back again.
“Plus, he’s in a good routine at home.”
O’Sullivan feels Berkeley Square will relish Saturday’s 2500m and highlighted that the gelding fails to hit top form at Caulfield inexplicably.
The trainer observed that Berkeley Square is nervous in the Caulfield stalls on race day but handles Flemington with greater ease.
“The way he raced last week he’s looking for the extra trip now and after this we’ve got three weeks leading up to the Adelaide Cup, so that’s up to me to get it right,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think he’s in good spot.
“It would be good if we could win the Adelaide Cup. He’s owned there and the breeder (David Peacock) is very keen for him to go there.”
Berkeley Square boasts dual wins in the Ballarat Cup and has appeared in two races following his second such success in December.
Saturday sees Luke Nolen return aboard after steering the galloper to Ballarat victory. Explore the racing betting markets available now.
The post Quick back-up for Berkeley Square first appeared on Just Horse Racing.