Kris Lees plans to press on to the $1.2 million Q22 (2200m) with highly credentialed import Adelaide River despite him having a cardiac arrythmia on debut for the Newcastle trainer at Eagle Farm. Login or signup to continue reading The four-year-old, carrying the colours of seven-time Melbourne Cup winner Lloyd Williams, finished ninth as one of the favourites in the 1800m group 3 Lord Mayors Cup on Saturday.
He was found to have an irregular heartbeat after the run and will need a veterinary clearance and a satisfactory trial before being allowed to race again. Lees said Adelaide River recovered quickly and he was confident of getting the clearance for the Q22 on June 15 at Eagle Farm. "He was fine within an hour after the race," Lees said.
"He actually ran OK. He had good late sectionals over an unfamiliar distance. He hit the line well so it sets up well for two weeks' time.
"At this stage, the intention is still to get [to the Q22]. He'll just need a tick-over trial, which won't be hard to do." Adelaide River is a group 3 winner over 2414m in Ireland and a three-time group 1 placegetter, including a second to superstar Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby (2414m).
On Saturday he was first-up for eight months. Lees also had Luncies (fifth) and Cleveland (last), another from the Williams camp, in the Lord Mayors Cup and said both are set to continue on to the Q22. Cleveland, first-up since winning the Moonee Valley Cup last October, was found with no issues post-race.
The Eagle.
