SA Derby: Cindy Alderson aims higher with emerging stayer Liqueuro

The rapid rise of improving gelding Liqueuro from maiden winner to Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) contender in one preparation has even come as a surprise to trainer Cindy Alderson.

But the Cranbourne conditioner, who is chasing her maiden Group 1 win, is now confident her progressive stayer is right where he needs to be as he prepares for his grand final at Morphettville this Saturday.

Liqueuro only made his debut with a Mornington win on New Year’s Day and the son of Fiorente has since won four of his five career starts to book a trip to Adelaide for the Derby.

“He has been a bit of a surprise packet,” Alderson said.

“The way he has been going at work, he hasn't shown us a lot but when he has got to the races he has been a big surprise.

“He doesn't show a lot and but he is very content so that’s a good thing.

“He has had a long campaign for a horse in his first preparation but hasn’t given us any indication he has gone backwards.”

Liqueuro highlighted his staying credentials at his past two starts when winning the St Leger Trial (2200m) at Bendigo on March 27 before claiming the Listed Galilee Final (2400m) last start on April 10.

Cindy Alderson with jockey Jamie Kah after Liqueuro’s win at Flemington in January. Picture: Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

A date with the Listed VRC St Leger (2800m) at Flemington on April 25 had been on the agenda before Alderson elected to raise the bar a little higher and target a maiden Group 1.

“It was pretty much a planned program for the St Leger and the races he competed in, we had planned to run him in and when he won he proved himself to be effective over a trip so thought we would give him chance,” Alderson said.

“I know he can run the trip and he’s been competitive against some of them before.

“The filly (Personal) is an interesting addition to the race and obviously Explosive Jack has great form too.”

Liqueuro is on the second line of betting at $5 with TAB fixed odds in SA Derby betting with Australian Derby winner Explosive Jack ($3.20 fav) the horse to beat.

Liqueuro will travel across the border on Thursday night after impressing Alderson with his final piece of work on Monday.

Alderson is hoping the three-year-old can deliver her stable a maiden Group 1 with her eighth starter in a major.

“I am pretty relaxed about it all (the Group 1) and hopefully he gets a good run because I don’t like it when horses get to these big races and have bad luck stories,” she said.

“Luke (Nolen) is a fabulous rider though and as long as he travels we, he should run well.

“The horse is good, there are no dramas. He is fairly no nonsense.”

Originally published asAlderson aims higher with ‘surprise packet’ Liqueuro

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