O'Sullivan Chasing Cup Quadrella With Beer

Thursday, 15 August 2002 00:00

Aquanita trainer Dan O’Sullivan is hoping Oliver Beer can put himself on the path to a Cup quadrella by his performance at Victoria Park on Saturday.

The former Victorian galloper steps out for the first time in five weeks in this weekend’s RAH Development Appeal Trophy (1400m) as a lead-up to the Balaklava, Baker Young Stockbrokers, Barossa and Murray Bridge Gold Cups.

The veteran galloper hasn’t raced since a game fourth in the rich Winter Championship at Flemington early July, but has been kept up to the mark with a solid hit-out in a 1000 trial at Morphettville on Monday.

"His recent form has been excellent and the way these races are set up now fits his program perfectly," O’Sullivan said.

"He had 10 days in the paddock after his Winter Championship run and had a good blow after his trial."

The Balaklava Cup, worth $71,000 and run over a mile on Wednesday, August 28, is now the first of four mile Cups within a month. The second, the $40,000 Listed Baker Young Stockbrokers Trophy, is at Morphettville on Saturday September 7.

The $30,000 Wolf Blass Barossa Cup is next at Gawler on Sunday September 22 while the Murray Bridge Gold Cup, a Listed race worth $60,000, is on Saturday September 28 – AFL Grand Final day. The distance of that race has been reduced from 2400m to the mile to complete the four-race series.

O’Sullivan’s local numbers have been reduced in recent weeks with many of his team now prepared by Richard Jolly, who has taken up the role of Aquanita’s Adelaide trainer. O’Sullivan begins as the stable’s Caulfield trainer on September 1, where he has 24 boxes to fill.

He will be taking a select few horses with him to Victoria and hopes to build up his team.

"I have a few earmarked to go to Melbourne but basically I’ll have to do some recruiting to build up the team," O’Sullivan said.

"It won’t be easy but Aquanita give you plenty of support."

One of his team who may make it to Melbourne eventually is Miss Moss Rose, who makes her debut at Victoria Park on Saturday.

She is owned by Nick Moraitis, who sent the Filante filly to O’Sullivan for his part in the 2001 Adelaide Cup win of Apache King.

"Apache King stayed at my stables during his Cup campaign and Nick promised me a horse after he won the Cup," O’Sullivan said.

"Although I’m not expecting too much on Saturday, I’ve been impressed with her. She ran on strongly in a recent trial at Murray Bridge and I think she’ll make the grade, but she’ll probably need time and more ground."

PIC - Quentin Lang.

Media Release - Jason Hickson (TRSA)