Trainer Lee Creek puts Port Adelaide Guineas in crosshairs for Royal Mile

Six months of well executed planning has emerging talent Royal Mile in the perfect position to strike in Saturday’s Listed Port Adelaide Guineas (1800m) at Morphettville.

Trainer Lee Creek knew back in the spring he had an above average galloper on his hands and the Mount Gambier horseman has been plotting a course towards the South Australian carnival ever since.

“The last six months have pretty much revolved around the carnival for him,” Creek said.

“We only gave him two runs in the spring and that’s why we put him away after that to look towards the bigger races.”

At the top of Creek’s list of ‘bigger races’ is the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) on May 8 and Saturday’s Guineas test is set to give Creek the perfect guide as to whether Royal Mile is up to the Group 1 assignment.

“We will know after Saturday what to do next with him,” he said.

“If he can get to the Derby that would be great but the other option is dropping him back to an Adelaide Guineas over the mile.”

Royal Mile heads to Saturday’s Port Adelaide Guineas with a sensational record early in his racing career, never finishing worse than second in six starts with three wins to his name.

The son of Danerich is chasing a hat-trick of victories when he returns to Morphettville after chalking up an impressive two length triumph at his first visit to town on March 23 over the 1600m.

“It was his first trip away when he won a fortnight ago and he handled that beautiful,” Creek said.

“He will head to the races in the same form that he was a fortnight ago.

“He has always been a horse that wants a mile and beyond but it’s hard with a three-year-old because until you see them do it you don’t know for sure.

“We will see what happens on Saturday.”

Apprentice Jacob Opperman will ride Royal Mile in the Port Adelaide Guineas where he is rated a $10 chance with TAB.com.au.

Last start Group 3 Alexandra Stakes winner Chica Fuerta is the $2.80 favourite and Creek concedes the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly is a big danger.

“The Freedman’s horse is the class horse of the race,” he said.

“I would like to think he (Royal Mile) would have the rest of them covered but she looks the horse to beat.

“Although the horse can‘t read the form guide.”

Originally published asRoyal Treatment: Guineas hope can go extra Mile

Source: Read Full Article