A dominant run up on the speed form jockey Zac Spain has seen four-year-old New Zealand mare Oceanex take out the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
A talented field of stayers stepped out on the rain-soaked track chasing the favourite Sopressa, who took up the lead from the barriers to set a decent tempo up front. Spain chose to go forward on Oceanex carrying the big weight, and the decision certainly paid off as the pair grabbed Sopressa at the 300m mark before easing down to a comfortable two-length win.
Oceanex was having her fourth run back from a spell but punters weren’t convinced in the Mick Price and Kent Jr trained mare as she drifted from $3.60 out to $5.00 with Ladbrokes.
With four wins and seven placings in 17 career starts though, her record spoke for itself. The added wet track form and some improvement from her last start fifth in the Group 3 JRA Plate over at Randwick was the icing on the cake.
Sopressa wasn’t disgraced in the run finishing second, but she simply didn’t have the turn of foot required in the late stages. Disco Rebel saw out the trip well to grab third, while Tigre Royale found himself too far back at the turn.
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