Trainer Nigel Blackiston has tried to vain to secure a Melbourne Cup berth with Let’s Make Adeal over the last two years, but has achieved the feat in 2015 after the mare posted an impressive win in the ballot-exempt Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington this afternoon.
Let’s Make Adeal secured ballot-free entry into the Melbourne Cup in taking out The Bart Cummings. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Jumping from the gates well, Let’s Make Adeal settled in prime position on the heels of early leaders Wexford Town and Café Society; receiving an ideal run in transit through the race’s lengthy running distance.
Rounding onto the final straight with a clear racing line, jockey Dwayne Dunn pressed the Red Ransom mare forward; the six-year-old immediately responding when asked for an extra effort and hitting the line a length and a half in the clear of Our Ivanhowe; Hawkspur running on for third.
Dunn delivered an exceptional performance aboard Let’s Make Adeal for success in the 2015 The Bart Cummings and was quick to heap the praise on the condition in which Blackiston presented the mare.
“Nigel said it’s her Grand Final today, and I got a really good run in transit, got out to three wide on the home bend in clean air,” Dunn said.
“I thought I might have been getting there a fraction early, but just put the foot to the accelerator and she did a good job to hold her off.
“This has been one of her targets and he (Blackiston) does a great job with his horses. The further they go the better they seem to go under his guidance.”
Blackiston was thrilled to have secured passage into the 2015 Melbourne Cup with the mare and is confident she will continue to improve over the coming weeks.
“We’ve tried a long time, the last few years to get her qualified but this year we’ve done it,” Blackiston said.
“We had a great autumn – a light three runs and she performed really well and has come back bigger and stronger.
“Just needed luck. It was a beautiful ride, he got her out and gave her that lovely space she requires and she was strong.”
Let’s Make Adeal was available at $7.50 odds in The Bart Cummings betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au prior to jump.
