Rising Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle believes Pride Of Adelaide will be more than competitive in the group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000 metres) at Rosehill on Saturday.
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The gelding was among 12 nominations for the race for three-year-olds on Monday. The Kris Lees-trained Blazing Sunrise was another entry from Newcastle.
Pride Of Adelaide has won two of three starts under Doyle, who has trained his own team for about 18 months and will have his biggest moment so far in the Tulloch Stakes.
After a second on debut to eventual VRC Oaks runner-up Never Listen, Pride Of Adelaide was moved from Brett Cavanough's stables to Doyle. He was second at Port Macquarie before a seven-length domination at Newcastle in a 1350m maiden on February 17. He backed it up with a three-length 1600m victory on a heavy Hawkesbury track.
Doyle nominated Pride Of Adelaide for last week's group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) but decided to target the Tulloch Stakes. Tim Clark has been booked for the ride on Pride Of Adelaide, which opened as a $6 chance with TAB.
"We had a nomination for the Guineas but I thought this was the best option, and it's panned out," Doyle said.
"It looks like a nice race on paper for him, for that next step. I know my horse is very progressive and he's only doing it on raw ability. Every time I step him out, he keeps improving. He's been very dominant at his last two starts, so I've got no doubt he can take the next step.
"And he's been dominant carrying bigger weights as well. He's been carrying 58.5 and now he's back to level weights on 56, so I think it's perfect for him."
Scone trainer John Ramsey nominated Love Me Quietly ($201) and Lees entered Game Of Thorns ($26) for the group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).
Lees has Mugatoo ($4.50), Mustajeer ($6), Danceteria ($17) and Raheen House ($26) nominated for the group 1 Tancred Stakes (2400m). He entered Delectation Girl, Miss Fabulass and Invincible Gem for the group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m). Invincible Gem was also nominated for the Doncaster Prelude (1500m).
** Racing NSW said Monday that racing would continue despite the state government's shutdown of non-essential businesses due to coronavirus. New Zealand racing will stop for at least four weeks from Tuesday.
