Time for promising mare to step up

IT’S time for promising trotter Adelle to step up.

Building a handy record – including wins at her two starts from a spell – Adelle is set to contest Saturday night’s Franco Australian Trotters’ Cup at Club Menangle.

Adelle’s recent victories have been during midweek programs.

Along with a rise in class, the Group Two poses another problem for the mare according to trainer Blake Fitzpatrick.

“This is a step up for her, but she’s at that point where she needs to take that next step,” Fitzpatrick said. “She has always shown ability and potential and now it’s time to see where that can take her.

“Not only is it a solid field, it is a large one, with traffic going to be concern as well.”

To be driven by Fitzpatrick, Adelle will begin from 10 due to her outside of the draw in standing starts status.

The daughter of Orlando Vici also has 12 rivals to overcome – including her stablemate More Shades Of Gold.

“I put her out of the draw just to give her a chance to be away from the others and hopefully settle well,” Fitzpatrick said.

“She’s only had three standing starts. Two of those were in New Zealand almost two years ago and she blew them, the other was July last year which she won.

“I’ve been giving her plenty of practice at home and she goes away quite well.”

With Jack Trainor to take the reins, More Shades Of Gold will begin from three.

The son of Majestic Son is in consistent form including a third under similar conditions a fortnight ago.

“He is going along well and gets his chance from there,” Fitzpatrick said.