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Adelaide Cup Day attracted a competitive nine-race card at Morphettville on Monday, and we have found two to follow.
Morphettville Race 5 – Air Assault
A Group 3 winner at two and then a stakes-winner in the spring, Air Assault added a third stakes win to the tally when making light work of his rivals in the Listed Morphettville Guineas. Given a positive steer from Jason Holder, who has partnered in all three major successes, the son of Justify found an extra gear in the lane and kept finding to hold his fast-finishing rivals at bay. Although failing in the Victoria Derby (2500m), where the gelding was a trendy selection following a commendable third place finish in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Vase, Air Assault looks a key chance for the South Australia Derby on May 5. Recording a Racing and Sports rating of 100 on Saturday, that figure is identical to the rating Dunkel boasted before taking out last year's edition.
Morphettville Race 8 – Austmarr
Was without a doubt the most impressive winner on Adelaide Cup Day, taking out the Listed Manihi Classic in emphatic fashion. Putting the best part of 3L to her nearest rival, the three-year-old Exosphere filly made every post a winner under the sharp hands of Jamie Kah. Posting a R&S rating of 110, connections wouldn't be considered silly if caught dreaming of Group 1 success, with trainers A & S Freedman surely keen to target the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (April 27), following in the footsteps of Anthony's 2018 winner Shoals, who was rated 114 prior to her success.