The Adelaide Cup headlines Morphettville on Monday with a fascinating mix of proven stayers, in-form locals and a few genuine two-mile queries. Here is Mitch Lewis’ runner-by-runner guide to the staying feature, with bet365 odds included next to each runner.
#1 Berkeley Square ($4.8)
Trainer: Dan O’Sullivan | Jockey: Luke Nolen | Barrier: 1
He rates highly in this field having won in Group 2 & 3 grade over staying distances through his career including a recent Ballarat Cup win. Given his high rating he will have a big weight of 59.5kg to carry and will have to defy recent history to carry that weight to win with the most recent heavy weight winner being Fanatic in 2018 with 57.5kg. It will take a big effort to win but he does rate highly.
#2 Newfoundland (IRE) ($7)
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jockey: Tim Clark | Barrier: 15
Is a proven runner out at a staying trip and includes a 2nd placing in this race last year. He only goes up 1kg in weight this year and was in good form recently winning at Listed level at Warwick Farm 2 starts back. He put in a forgivable run last time at Flemington with a slow recovery so expecting he can bounce back and improve.
#3 Eventually ($23)
Trainer: Sarah Rutten | Jockey: Teagan Voorham | Barrier: 14
Was the winner of the traditional lead up race to The Cup, the Lord Reims Stakes. That win made it 3 wins from her last 4 starts and she was the runner finishing strongest producing the fastest last 600m of the race. That finish suggests she is capable of handling a rise in distance and looks a big price for a runner in good form.
#4 Komachi (IRE) ($10)
Trainer: Will Clarken | Jockey: Lucy Fiore | Barrier: 5
Recently had 2 big performances running 2nd in the Strathalbyn Cup & winning the Listed Premier’s Plate. He encountered a tough run from a wide barrier in the Lord Reims which may have told late when he was tiring, it will take a big effort to get up over the 3200m but the stable did the same with last year’s winner and he gets a softer race map today.
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#5 Crimson Vine (NZ) ($19)
Trainer: Sarah Rutten | Jockey: Kayla Crowther | Barrier: 10
Produced a tough, grinding performance to hold on to a placing finishing 3rd in the Lord Reims. It will take a similar tough effort for him to be winning in this race but he has won over the 2500m trip previously so the trip should prove no issue.
#6 Highland Bling (IRE) ($4.6)
Trainer: Phillip Stokes | Jockey: Lachlan Neindorf | Barrier: 17
This looks to have been a target race for him as he is lined up ideally to give his best effort today. He was a big run to finish a close 2nd in the Lord Reims. Perhaps tiring slightly late in the run there, he is now fitter 3rd up and has a strong 3rd up record so far into his career (2:1-1-0). He appears ideally set up for the 3200m trip, the wide barrier should prove little concern early as he can get across and deserves to be one of the favourites in this race.
WATCH: Highland Bling run second in the Lord Reims Stakes
Lord Reims Stakes | Eventually
What a finish! 🤯 The 7YO mare charges home late down the outside to taste stakes success for @SRuttenRacing in a thriller 📸
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/4BVAS2q8S0— Racing.com (@Racing) February 21, 2026
#7 Kirkliston Blu ($34)
Trainer: Roslyn Day | Jockey: Dom Tourneur | Barrier: 9
Has been grinding late in races recently but was doing his best work late in the run of the Lord Reims running the 2nd fastest last 400m & 200m of the race there. He looks a type who can continue to grind through a 2 mile race but needs to take a step up in class today.
#8 Dictionary ($19)
Trainer: John Moloney | Jockey: Teo Nugent | Barrier: 6
Brings in solid recent form including a 5th placing last start running only 1.6L behind Berkeley Square who will jump as one of the favourites in this race. Tackles the 3200m for the first time today and this is a rise in grade, needs his best to be a winning chance today but could be one for the exotics.
#9 Hasta La War ($126)
Trainer: Sue Murphy | Jockey: Stacey Metcalfe | Barrier: 11
A 10YO veteran who gets better over further distances but looks a long way gone from his best form. Needs to turn back the clock today to be competitive having looked to be only grinding late in the Lord Reims and beating 1 runner home in this race last year.
#10 Hurry Curry (NZ) ($8.5)
Trainer: Danny O’Brien | Jockey: Jamie Melham | Barrier: 4
Jumping up quickly in grade having been a last start winner at Sandown over the 2400m in BenchMark grade. The furthest she has been over previously was the 2500m when she finished 3rd in the 2024 VRC Oaks. This will be a sharp test for her up in distance but perhaps she has the class and Jamie Melham takes the ride.
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#11 Samuel Langhorne (NZ) ($13)
Trainer: Michael Kent | Jockey: Luke Cartwright (a) | Barrier: 18
Was doing his best work late in the run in the Lord Reims and is now 3rd up and fitter, ready to tackle the 3200m trip. He was 3rd over the 2800m trip in the Deane Lester Flemington Cup last prep which is form that reads well for this race, expect he can make his presence felt late here.
#12 Urban Outlook (GB) ($21)
Trainer: John Symons & Sheila Laxon | Jockey: Ashley Morgan | Barrier: 16
Recently won 2 in a row including a win over the 3000m which proves he can see out this 2 mile trip today. He boasts other wins at longer trips earlier in his career back in Europe so the distance should prove no challenge and he drops significant weight today carrying 53kg. He looks one of the better roughie chances in the race.
#13 American Wolf (NZ) ($17)
Trainer: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Jockey: Jett Stanley | Barrier: 8
Hasn’t shown a great deal of form this prep back in BenchMark grade but the key to him finding improvement could be a rise in distance as he was a winner over the 2800m last prep. Needs to find his best efforts to be winning here.
#14 Sentimental Flame ($126)
Trainer: Travis Doudle | Jockey: Will Price | Barrier: 3
Taking a considerable rise in grade for this race today having not been a winner since 2023. The furthest distance he has a win over is the 1550m but he has recently placed at a staying trip. Deserves to be at long odds in a race like this.
#15 Alainge ($71)
Trainer: Garret Lynch | Jockey: Sairyn Fawke | Barrier: 12
Improved to win last start over the 2400m at Balaklava but this is a considerable rise in class. Another runner who should be big odds rising to Group class for the first time and would be a surprise winner here.
#16 Zibulon (FR) ($34)
Trainer: Paul Preusker | Jockey: Patrick Moloney | Barrier: 2
Won over the 2000m at Stawell in a BM56 two starts back but did show some improvement last start to run a close 3rd behind Hurry Curry who is in the market for this race. Perhaps he may surprise rising in distance again but expect with this sharp rise in class he will likely be tested.
#17 Sabre Athena ($201)
Trainer: Mark Greig | Jockey: Kate Walters | Barrier: 7
Boasts a win over the 3400m trip recently and has been contesting heavy weight races in his last few starts, this is considerably harder and conditions are unlikely to suit as his best form would be likely to come on a wet track. Unlikely.
#18 Chance Taken (NZ) ($101)
Trainer: Chris Bieg | Jockey: Dylan Caboche | Barrier: 13
Another who takes a considerable jump up in class for this today having been battling to find winning form in BM66 races this prep. Looks likely to jump at big odds and deserves to do so based on recent form.
Selections:
6 Highland Bling
2 Newfoundland
3 Eventually
1 Berkeley Square
Suggested Bet: 6 Highland Bling (Win)
