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Bordertown hosts quality Millicent Cup field

This year’s 3MP SABOIS + Millicent Cup (2000m) is being run at Bordertown, but has attracted one of the strongest fields in recent years.

The line-up comprises a mix of runners who have performed creditably in strong SA metropolitan company over the past six weeks, plus a sprinkling of others from various form lines.

The lightly raced Hasta La Fiorente looks a great chance of landing the cup for Naracoorte trainer Sue Murphy, coming off a cracking run in a $100,000 race over 1800m at Morphettville on SA Derby Day (Saturday, May 9). On that occasion, Hasta La Fiorente was trapped wide for a significant portion of the journey, yet still loomed as the winner, before being overrun near the post to finish third, behind Bajan. The son of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente has started three times at Bordertown for two wins and a third.

Sasun – trained at Oakbank by Barry Brook – ran fourth in the same race behind Bajan and despite having a cosier run, possibly came down a slower section of the home straight. In addition, Sasun meets Hasta La Fiorente significantly better at the weights this Sunday and has been in excellent form this preparation.

Gigglon won a $45,000 benchmark 82 race over 1550m last month at Morphettville Parks and although his past three starts don’t appear as flattering on paper, he has had some excuses. A win for Gigglon would give Naracoorte trainer Sue Jaensch back-to-back Millicent Cups, after Pass the Glass won the race last year, when held at Penola.

Murray Bridge trainer John Hickmott is sending his tough stayer Turf Man to Bordertown and the five-year-old gelding is a winning chance if he shows his best – and the race is run to suit. Turf Man in fact contested the 2020 Adelaide Cup in March and ran okay, finishing midfield. Next start he scored a convincing win in a $50,000 benchmark 78 race over 2250m at Morphettville Parks, and two starts back he finished an excellent fourth in the Listed Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) at Morphettville.

Other hopes include Grant Young’s Exalted Ruth, Warrnambool-trained Unrealistic – who finished runner-up in the 2018 Millicent Cup – and top weight Woolsthorpe Store, a past Apsley Cup winner going into the race first-up after a 12-month break.

Jockey Jeff Maund is gunning for successive Millicent Cup wins and is aboard Dyagilev this weekend.

Selections: 1. Hasta La Fiorente; 2. Sasun; 3. Turf Man; 4. Gigglon.

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