Kiwi-bred horses have had a strong record in the Gr.2 Adelaide Cup (3200m), with the likes of Surprise Baby and Fanatic winning recent editions, and Plumpton trainer Patrick Payne is looking to extend that run with his in-form gelding Defibrillate.
The six-year-old son of Shocking has won two of his three starts this preparation, including the Listed Lord Stakes (1700m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day and the Lexus Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Payne was pleased with the win last weekend and said he has come through the run well.
“The race worked out really well for him, he was ridden really well,” he said.
“The horse is a lovely horse to deal with. I appreciate Richy (Graham Richardson) sending him over. He is a really nice horse and I don’t think that will be his last win.
“He came over in good form and he has been in good form all of his life really. That was his third run this preparation and he has pulled up fantastic.”
Formerly trained in New Zealand by his co-breeder and part-owner Graham Richardson, Defibrillate won two of his three starts on home soil before transferring to Payne’s care where he has won on a further five occasions.
Victorious in his only stakes test to date, Payne is now eyeing some Group targets with his charge, including the Adelaide Cup in March.
“There is the Adelaide Cup coming up and there are some beautiful Saturday races for him from now until then,” he said.
“We will just see how he goes. We will quietly head down that path.”