Talented mare Adelong has earned herself another shot at black-type company after breaking through for an overdue win at Randwick.

The Brad Widdup-trained five-year-old had to settle for minor placings in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush and Ortensia Stakes at her past two starts but with Jay Ford in the saddle, she proved too strong for a smart field in the Fujitsu General Handicap (1100m) on Saturday.

The victory was her first in 12 months and Widdup was relieved to see her get the job done.

“I’ve been happy with her all preparation but a lot of things haven’t gone right with her,” Widdup said.

“Jay’s had a couple of rides on her now and he got it right today.

“I wouldn’t mind a few more like her. She’s had tie back (surgery) and that’s probably held her back a bit but it’s her fourth run back now and it was a terrific effort.

“We’re chasing a bit of black-type and there’s the Bob Charley Stakes in a couple of weeks and that’s probably what I’ll look at.”

Ford, who partnered Adelong in the Ortensia when she finished third to Albumin, felt she appreciated camping off the solid tempo set by leader and race favourite Marway.

“She drew outside Marway which just enabled us to follow it across. She is a tricky horse, if you set her alight too early she won’t come back so you just need to be able to glide along on her but the way the race unfolded today really suited her,” Ford said.

“It did surprise me a little bit how easily I came up to Marway in the straight but she has been going really well and she deserved this breakthrough.”

Adelong ($12) scored by three-quarters of a length over Wandabaa ($4.80) with Marway ($2.35 fav) holding on for third another long neck back.

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au