Phillip Stokes will saddle a two-pronged assault as he looks to capture a second victory in the Group 2 Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on Monday.
Last year's winner Good Idea is 16/1 to repeat his exploits of 12 months ago, while stablemate Daqiansweet Junior is 17/5 for the 3200-metre, having won four of his last five starts.
Improvement needed from defending champion
Stokes is expecting a better performance from Good Idea after the seven-year-old finished last at Flemington over 2600 metres on 5 March.
"He hadn't raced for five or six weeks so he needed the run," Stokes said. "And he's done that before, then bounced off the run.
"He wasn't able to relax, but I'm not concerned, and I know he runs the trip which is a big thing in these 3200-metre handicaps."
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Form on the side of Daqiansweet Junior
On the other hand, Daqiansweet Junior has the form on the board but he is untested at 3200 metres.
Stokes said Daqiansweet Junior was a natural stayer and gives the indication he will run it out.
"He's been in work for ever, but he's done most of his work at the farm which suits staying horses and he rose to a Listed race at The Valley and acquitted himself well off a slow tempo," the trainer continued.
"My gut feeling says he'll run it, but a lot don't, that extra 700 metres it's a big jump and being as confident as you can be, there's that little niggle.
"But with Good Idea, he'll grind it out."
Stokes has called on Ben Thompson to ride Good Idea after partnering the gelding to victory last year while Daqiansweet Junior will be ridden by Jamie Kah, who has been on board for each of his last two races.
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