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ADELAIDE - Veteran trainer Jim Smith believes Clare Lindop can continue her history-making feats with successive Adelaide Cup wins aboard Exalted Time at Morphettville today.
Lindop became the first Australian woman to ride a group one winner over 3200m when she steered Exalted Time to victory in last year's Adelaide Cup.
It was the Adelaide Cup that also saw New Zealand jockey Maree Lyndon become the first woman to win a 3200m group one race in Australia when she scored aboard Lord Reims in 1987.
Lindop was the first Australian woman to ride in the Melbourne Cup and the first to win a metropolitan premiership which she achieved in Adelaide in the 2004-05 season.
Smith, 62, is chasing his third Adelaide Cup success following last year's triumph with Exalted Time and his 1995 victory with Scrupulous, although the race will be run at group two level this year.
"I think Exalted Time is going just as good this year, even though he's carrying a lot more weight now," Smith said.
"His lead-up races have been very good and he drops from 59kg last start to 55kg in the cup.
"He's getting fitter with every run and at some stage in the straight he'll look the winner."
Exalted Time failed to fire following his Adelaide Cup success last year and was sent to the spelling paddock after finishing last to Mandela in the group three Geelong Cup (2400m) last October.
Smith has only given Exalted Time four lead-up runs for his Adelaide Cup defence and was far from disappointed when the Bellotto gelding was beaten at his last two starts in the Port Adelaide Cup (2250m) at Cheltenham and group three Carlton Draught (2600m) at Morphettville.
"He had shocking alleys both times and had to lump big weights on both occasions," Smith said.
Lindop rode Exalted Time in both races, finishing fifth to Wells Street in the Port Adelaide Cup and in the same position in Danebar's Carlton Draught.
"It was an enormous run in the Port Adelaide Cup," Smith said.
"He was caught three deep outside the leader and carried 58kg from barrier 12.
"The alleys didn't help him in those runs. Clare led on him at Cheltenham but she had to get back on him from barrier 15 last start in the Carlton Draught."
Exalted Time has again drawn poorly in barrier 16, but Smith revealed his tactical hand by declaring Lindop would attempt to lead all the way again as she did last year.
"There's no doubt he's a better horse in front and that will be our tactics again this year," Smith said.
Smith rates the Graeme Rogerson-trained Gallic the main danger but believes this year's cup lacks the depth of last year's race.
"The topweight [Gallic] goes well and has good form in Melbourne but I don't think this year's race is as strong as last year," he said. "There's definitely no superstars in it."
- AAP
