South Australia will command a fair slice of racing’s national spotlight when the prestigious Adelaide Racing Carnival (May 1-15) kicks off this Saturday with two Group 1 races.
The TAB Classic for fillies and mares over 1200m (Robert Sangster Stakes) and Australasian Oaks for three-year-old fillies, both worth $502,250, have attracted strong nominations from local and interstate stables.
Among the likely Oaks’ runners is the Scott Brunton-trained rising star Hela, unbeaten from its seven starts, since debuting in October last year Hela has won all races in Tasmania, most recently winning a handicap over 1600m on April 14.
The daughter of Night of Thunder faces a big step up in class if she takes her place in the field but trainer Brunton said after Hela’s recent win it was all systems go. “She did what I expected her to do (last Sunday) and now we have to keep her ticking over and hope we can get her to South Australia safe and sound,’’ he said.