Strong field assembled for Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes

Grand Promenade has accepted for the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes at Morphettville. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)

The South Australian Autumn Racing Carnival is just around the corner, and we get a little taste of what’s on offer this weekend with the Lord Reims Stakes kicking things off.

It’s been a hot week across the state with the Morphettville track currently rated a Good 4, whilst the rail is out 8m from the 1200m to the winning post and 4m for the remainder.

The Lord Reims Stakes is traditionally a lead up race to the Adelaide Cup with favourite The Map looking to do build momentum ahead of the Group 2, 3200m event on March 13. Although slightly one paced in the straight last start, she was strong through the line and looks ready for the step up to 2600m. With the rockbottom weight of 53kg she should be in it for a long way.

Grand Promenade on his best day has this field well and truly covered. He resumed three weeks ago at Sandown and although beaten six lengths, he will take natural improvement from the run, and with class on his side, is going to be the horse to beat. Top SA jockey Todd Pannell is booked for the ride.

Stafford’s Lad is the Perth contender, bringing with it some pretty solid form. He was brave in defeat two starts back in the Perth Cup beaten four lengths and looks like he is crying out for the rise in trip to 2600m. He’s hoping to make a fairytale journey to the Melbourne Cup so he will need to be bringing his best on Saturday.

Sebonna is a good long shot at $18 with online bookmakers in Saturday’s Group 3. She has won a BM82 over 2500m in the past and second-up last start, looked to be a nice fitness run leading into this.

Highland Jack and Clever Man will both also be competitive over this distance, and not forgetting last start winner, Darlamax for inform jockey Lachlan Neindorf. He’s drawn well and maps to end up in a nice forward position again.

This should be true staying test and a nice guide going forward for the Adelaide Cup contenders.

2023 Lord Reims Stakes Final Field

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight
1	Grand Promenade	Ciaron Maher & David Eustace	Todd Pannell	13	60kg
2	Stafford’s Lad	Daniel Morton	Jarrod Noske	5	58kg
3	Farooq	Sue Murphy	Jacob Opperman	12	57.5kg
4	Team Captain	Matt Cumani	Jessica Eaton	14	56kg
5	Sebonna	Peter Hardacre	Callan Murray	8	56kg
6	Stars Of Carrum	Robbie Laing	Harry Grace	2	56kg
7	Clever Man	Trevor White	Ben Price	7	56kg
8	Highland Jakk	Robert Hickmott	Teo Nugent	11	56kg
9	Darlamax	Andrew Homann	Lachlan Neindorf	4	56kg
10	Taramansour	Matt Cumani	TBC	10	56kg
11	Smiling Assassin	Garret Lynch	Eran Boyd	1	56kg
12	Wolf Prince	Grant Young	Anna Jordsjo	6	55kg
13	Aberlady	Andrew Homann	Carleen Hefel	9	54kg
14	The Map	Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray	Jake Toeroek	3	53kg