Aberfeldie Boy primed for bold showing in Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Morphettville on Saturday.
The second day of the Adelaide Carnival sees the spotlight shining on the three-year-old stayers in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m), in what is sure to be another thrilling edition.
As for our best bet we look to the undercard in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m), where I'm confident Aberfeldie Boy from the R Griffiths & M De Kock camp is ready to go to a new level.
Early earmarked as a promising stayer after placing in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2022), the son of So You Think ran a career peak of 110 on the Racing and Sport scale at just his fourth start. Aberfeldie Boy hasn't done a great deal of racing since but has always shown plenty of ability.
The four-year-old sets up perfectly for QEII Cup coming off a strong platform run in the G3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield where he was climbing over their backs late, eventually snatching third when beaten 0.7L, running to 104 on the R&S scale.
With an average winning rating of 102 in the last five editions of the QEII Cup (formerly Port Adelaide Cup), Aberfeldie Boy has tackled the 2500m twice with ratings of 110 & 103, the latter coming this day last year when placing in the SA Derby.
While The Map and First Immortal are also talented types and deserve to hold some of that market percentage, I'm confident Aberfeldie Boy carries all the upside and we will get to see the very best of him Saturday.
Another one I'm keen to follow up on is in-form mare Jazz Affair from the smart R & C Jolly stable.
The four-year-old has come on nicely this campaign, scoring dominantly in her last two and improving her peak rating with both wins. Running to 84 on the R&S scale when putting 1.9L to his nearest rival Easy Campese, who she meets again at the same weights, Jazz Affair won't have to go to any new heights to have their measure again. Leading hoop in Jake Toeroek sticks and the extra journey looks more than suitable. Hat-trick incoming.
Say From SA
Best: Race 7 #3 Aberfeldie Boy @ $3.60
Also backing: Race 4 #8 Jazz Affair @ $4
