Stafford’s Lad has his eyes on the Adelaide Cup

Stafford’s Lad will attempt to become the first Western Australian-trained horse in almost 40 years to win the TAB Adelaide Cup when he tackles the Group 2 feature over 3200m at Morphettville next month.

Stafford’s Lad will attempt to become the first Western Australian-trained horse in almost 40 years to win the TAB Adelaide Cup when he tackles the Group 2 feature over 3200m at Morphettville next month.

The Dan Morton-trained stayer was set to depart Perth this week and will base himself in Adelaide for a two-start campaign that will take in the Listed Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville on 25 February and the iconic staying handicap 16 days later.

Stafford’s Lad has emerged as a reliable stayer in Western Australia in recent seasons, having initially been purchased by Morton as a tried horse to aim at the Broome Cup.

Morton said the eight-year-old had exceeded expectations with wins in the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup (2200m) and Listed Boulder Cup (2100m) last year, as well as a gallant second placing in the Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) on New Year’s Day.

Stafford’s Lad returned to the races with midfield finish in the Ascot Mile last Sunday and was booked to travel east on a flight this week.

“He raced on Sunday just to get the wheels spinning again and we were happy with that,” Morton said.

“He’ll travel to Melbourne next Tuesday all things going well and then he gets to Adelaide on the truck.

“We think he’s the real deal as a stayer and while he’s not getting any younger, I’m looking forward to the opportunity to get him over the two miles because he’s a real diesel stayer.

“We wanted to get him to Adelaide last year but COVID made the logistics a bit difficult so we stayed put.

“We bought him literally for a north-wester – I send a team to Broome every year – but he’s just exceeded all expectations.

“He’s a very sound, tough horse.”

Morton is no stranger to success in Adelaide, having saddled up Dainty Tess to win the 2018 R.N. Irwin Stakes (1100m) at Morphettville.

The trainer’s Group 1 tally stands at seven, much in thanks to the deeds of globetrotting sprinter Scenic Blast and middle distance warrior Scenic Shot.

The last Western Australian-trained horse to win the Adelaide Cup was Moss Kingdom, who landed the prize in 1984 for trainer Frank Maynard and jockey Jim Taylor.