Moonee Valley Preview: Star Adelaide Sprinter Ready For Next Step

Adelaide trainer Will Clarken hopes his boom sprinter Extremely Lucky can stamp himself as a prospective topliner when he contests The Carlyon Stakes (1000 metres) at The Valley on Saturday.

If Extremely Lucky can run up to expectations, he will tackle the Group One Moir Stakes (1000 metres) at The Valley on Grand Final eve September 23.

Extremely Lucky has won three of his five starts in Adelaide, including his past two to create a huge reputation so much so that he is $3 favourite for the Carlyon Stakes with TopSport.

Extremely Lucky takes on a strong field headed by Generation, Bella Nipotina, Roch ‘n’ Horse and Oxley Road.

At his last win he charged home out wide coming from last to win the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on July 30 by almost a length.

Clarken said on RSN he thought Extremely Lucky went into the Lightning Stakes a bit under-one but he went super.

“His finishing time was phenomenal. His last 200 metres was 11 seconds above standard the other day. Not many horses I’ve seen can close like that,” Clarken said.

“It might have been a career best. He’s trained on perfectly and I’m looking forward to his first trip away,” he said.

“He’s stepping up in grade but he’s going to have to handle the pressure and he’s going to be cluttered away but I’m looking forward to it.”

“He’s a get back sprinter so he’s going to lose more races than he wins just by circumstance but if he gets clear air at The Valley we will see him attack the line,” he said.

Extremely Lucky will be ridden by Jamie Kah who rode him to win two starts ago in Adelaide.

Kah said earlier this week on Racing.com that Extremely Lucky’s ability was untapped.