Jason Holder will be chasing a third Listed Port Adelaide Guineas in the past decade aboard Pearl Adios in combination with Hall Of Fame trainer Leon Macdonald and co-trainer Andrew Gluyas at Morphettville on Saturday.
Gamblin Guru claimed the 2014 edition before winning the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes and running fourth in the Group 1 South Australian Derby, while Dalasan proved superior in the 2020 feature before winning the Chairman’s and running second to Russian Camelot in the Derby.
Holder said Pearl Adios had been the surprise packet of the stable saving his best for race day.
“He doesn’t do a lot in trackwork, but what we’ve discovered is the dry tracks suit him and the longer the better,’’ Holder said.
Holder was forced to ride for luck from a sticky barrier before he powered over the top of rivals last time over the 1600m and said the horse gives every impression getting out in distance will only enhance his chances.
“We drew an ugly gate the other day, Leon left it to me, I rode the rails, I wasn’t happy to be there but gee he was good late,’’ Holder said.
“I think he has really taken confidence from his win the start before, and he has to take the next step again on Saturday.
“Would he stack up in Melbourne? I’m not sure. But that’s the good thing about our carnival it can really set up a horse going forward and I feel he’s a very competitive horse who can run well,’’ he said.
The stable will also play a strong hand in the Listed Auraria Stakes where they saddle up two runners – current favourite Party Princess and Arugamama.
Party Princess produced a slashing run late to finish second in the Clare Lindop Stakes and will be ridden by Holder while an in-form Lachlan Neindorf retains the ride on Arugamama who finished third in the same race.
Holder said there wasn’t a lot between them on the track but Party Princess, a half-sister to Dalasan, had won him over with her narrow miss in the Clare Lindop Stakes last time.
“She just keeps stepping up to the mark each and every start,’’ Holder said.
“What I really like about her, she can sustain her run and she can stay all day.
“Her win at Strathalbyn (three starts back where she won her maiden) was OK, but I thought she probably should have won a bit easier,’’ Holder said.
“But looking back we think she didn’t get up the hill that well and her ability might have got her over the line,’’ he said.
