German horse Red Cardinal has Adelaide Club connections
THE Adelaide Club on North Terrace will be down on numbers today but cheering loudly for German raider Red Cardinal.
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RED Cardinal will carry a distinct South Australian flavour into the Melbourne Cup.
Rated an $18 chance in UBET fixed-odds markets, he will be ridden by last year’s winning jockey, SA’s Kerrin McEvoy, and is part-owned by the Terrace Syndicate, which consists of 25 members of the exclusive Adelaide Club.
Trained by Andreas Wohler in Germany and raced by Australian Bloodstock, six-year-old gelding Red Cardinal has never run in Australia but the Wohler team had Cup success with Protectionist in 2014.
Successful owner-breeder and former SAJC Chairman David Peacock, one of the syndicate members, said the group was thrilled to have an interest in the world-famous horse race.
“In all the years of breeding horses I haven’t got within a bull’s roar of having a runner in the Melbourne Cup, so being a part of this with Australian Bloodstock it’s very exciting,’’ Peacock said.
Peacock said their decision to take a punt on the German raider came over a year ago and it’s proved priceless.
“I had just sold a colt up in Sydney and an email came through from Australian Bloodstock about the horse,’’ Peacock said.
“He had run a really good race in a Group 3 Geoffrey Freer at Newmarket in Europe, so we bought a share.
“We thought ‘let’s have a throw at the stumps’ and now everyone is very excited.’’
Peacock said the syndicate had raced a few horses over the years but having a share in a Cup runner was thrilling.
“This horse has really revived the spirit of adventure in the syndicate,’’ he said.
“I think 18 of the 25 are over in Melbourne for the race.
“We’ve had some horses that have won races but nothing that compares with having an interest in a Melbourne Cup runner.
“They enjoy their racing but this horse has taken that to the next level.”
In four runs for his new owners, Red Cardinal finished runner-up in a Group 2 in Germany before going for a spell and coming back to win another Group 2 at Hoppegarten.
He then travelled to America in June where he won the Belmont Invitation, fellow Cup hope Wicklow Brave running fourth.
Despite the good reports from the Wohler stable, Peacock said they are now hoping lightning can a strike twice for McEvoy from the outside barrier.
“All the reports from the stable since the horse arriving in Australia have been very good,’’ he said.
“We’ve got the visitors draw, but we also have Kerrin. He was able to win the (2000) Cup with Brew from 24, so we’re hoping history can repeat on Tuesday.’’
McEvoy has been impressed by Red Cardinal after riding him in recent trackwork sessions at Werribee.
“He is in really good order,’’ McEvoy said. “He’s been working well and is nice and bright.
“The two times I’ve ridden him he has worked home over seven furlongs (1400m) and dashed up nicely over the last two furlongs (400m),” McEvoy told The Advertiser.
Where to celebrate the Melbourne Cup in Adelaide
OFF and running to find somewhere to watch the race that stops the nation? These venues in the city and suburbs are still taking bookings or selling tickets at the door.
The Rose Garden, Victoria Square. Lunches, bars and the races on a big screen. rosegardenadelaide.com.au
Electra House, King William St: There’s a variety of Cup Day party packages and an after-party from 3pm. Phone 7123 4055.
The Gallery, Waymouth St: The rooftop will have TV screens, a $35 chef’s selection menu and an after-race DJ from 4pm. Phone 8211 8820.
The Archer, O’Connell St: Three courses on the balcony, plus a glass of bubbles on arrival. Phone 8361 9300.
Sfera’s, Modbury: Head to The Stables Bar and watch the racing live on HD screens. Entry by gold coin donation with proceeds to the Cora Barclay Centre. Phone: 8397 8600
Mawson Lakes Hotel: Bubbles on arrival and a gourmet three-course lunch. Assisting Ronald McDonald House. Phone: 8360 3500.
Globe Derby Park: Buffet luncheon with full TAB facilities available and big screens to watch races. Phone 8258 2765.
Mick O’Shea’s, Hackam: A la carte menu, live music, food and drink specials, sweeps and more. Phone 8384 6944.
Salopian Inn, McLaren Vale: Yum cha lunch includes a glass of wine. All profits to OzHarvest. Phone: 8323 8769
The Maid, Stepney: Four-course lunch and beverage package with sweeps, door prizes, best dressed and big screens. Phone: 8362 6053
Arkaba, Fullarton: The Birdcage-style lunch, supporting Still Aware, includes cocktail-style food matched with wines. Phone: 8338 1100.
Morphettville Racecourse: Entertainment, music, a beauty bar and live race action, plus a Fashions on the Field competition. General admission: adults $25, concession $15 at the gate. From 10am.
Highway Hotel, Plympton: The hotel’s deck has a drinks package, food stalls, live band, TAB facilities and races on the big screen. Phone: 8297 8155
Originally published as German horse Red Cardinal has Adelaide Club connections