Superstar Lindop tunes in for a fairytale Adelaide Cup farewell

SHE’S ridden in the Melbourne Cup and won a Victoria Derby but Monday’s Adelaide Cup is sure to always hold special significance for star jockey Clare Lindop.

• Weir hopes are hanging on German precision
• Punk ready to rock on to Cup
• Hayes ranks Adelaide Cup trio
• Signs good for Winx run in QE Stakes

SHE’S ridden in the Melbourne Cup and won a Victoria Derby but Monday’s Adelaide Cup is sure to always hold special significance for star jockey Clare Lindop.

It will be Lindop’s final ride in South Australia’s most famous horse race after the trailblazing 38-year-old this week announced her impending retirement from the saddle.

Lindop, who will ride longshot Tunes in the Cup, will hang up her saddle after the Adelaide Festival of Racing in May, ending a magnificent 23-year riding career.

“Rather than being sad, I’m excited about Monday, to be honest,” Lindop said.

Clare Lindop with her Adelaide Cup mount Tunes at trainer Grant Young’s Murray Bridge property. Picture: Tait Schmaal

“It just feels like a normal Cup Day at the moment in terms of the build-up ... but I might get a little emotional afterwards.

“Adelaide Cup Day is a great day. I’ve got seven rides for the day and it’s always one of our best days of racing.

“I really enjoy the day and I’m looking forward to trying to ride at my best.

“I do enjoy riding in the staying races, too. I feel like the jockey can play more of a role in those races. It’s a good challenge.”

Lindop already has tasted Adelaide Cup success, winning the 2006 edition of the feature on Exalted Time.

Clare Lindop celebrates winning the 2006 Adelaide Cup on Exalted Time. Picture: Cameron Richardson

Coincidentally, the Grant Young-trained Exalted Lightning, a close relation of Exalted Time, is among the early favourites for Monday’s Cup.

Lindop’s mount Tunes, who was narrowly beaten by Purple Smile in the 2016 Cup, is a stablemate of Exalted Lightning.

The nine-year-old gelding will be having his 104th race start on Monday and is among the outsiders of the 16-horse field at $51 in Ladbrokes fixed-odds markets.

But Lindop hasn’t given up hope of a fairytale result in the $400,000 staying test.

“I’m really happy with the way he’s going. His lead-up races have been fantastic,” she said.

“He’s a genuine stayer and what he lacks in class he makes up for in heart.

“We know he’ll run the 3200m. How fast he runs it, we don’t know.

“He’ll put up a bold show, I hope.”

The first event on Monday’s nine-race Morphettville card is scheduled to be run at 12.30pm, with the Cup due to start at 4.20pm.

What you need to know about the Adelaide Cup

FORECAST: Mostly sunny, 25C

WHEN: Gates open at 10.30am, first race is at 12.30pm and the Cup will be run at 4.20pm.

COST: General Admission tickets are $25 for adults, $15 for concession and people aged between 14 and 17 years. Children 13 and under enter free of charge.

CUP FAVOURITE: Fanatic

OUR EXPERTS’ TIPS

Lincoln Moore...

■ 1 FANATIC

■ 2 EXALTED LIGHTNING

■ 3 ORMITO

■ 4 BENZINI

Ben Scadden...

■ 1 FANATIC

■ 2 ORMITO

■ 3 EXALTED LIGHTNING

■ 4 O’LONERA

FASHIONS ON THE FIELD:

Registration for ladies and gentlemen will be open from 11am to 1pm on the Derby Lawns. The event will commence at approximately 1.10pm. Available for purchase

online and at Morphettville.

HOW TO GET THERE:

■ City-Bay trams operate throughout the day from North Tce and Victoria Square through to Glenelg’s Moseley Square.

■ Adelaide Metro buses stop near Morphettville Racecourse on Anzac Highway and Morphett Rd. Visit adelaidemetro.com.au for up-to-date schedules.

■ All SAJC Members and pre-purchased ticket holders receive free public transport on all Adelaide Metro networks to and from Morphettville.

■ Carparks cost $10 and are located at The Junction (off Anzac Highway, Camden Park) and at Morphett Rd opposite the Members’ Carpark entrance.

■ Taxi ranks will be located at Anzac Highway, southern side, adjacent to the tram stop and on the western side of Morphett Road, opposite the car park.

For more details, visit morphettville.com.au