Adelaide Cup winner Outback Joe is back in work at Nigel Blackiston’s Flemington stable for his bid to emulate his dam on the first Tuesday in November.
Outback Joe’s dam Let’s Elope thrashed her rivals to become another Melbourne Cup winner for Bart Cummings in 1991 but her son has a sizeable task just to make the field.
Subzero completed the Adelaide and Melbourne Cup double in 1992 while Skybeau placed in both races in 1996 in his best results in five attempts at each event.
The downgrade of the Adelaide Cup to Group Two level means Outback Joe achieved a handicapper’s rating of 100 and a likely weight of 50.5kg, which would leave the rising seven-year-old well down the order of entry.
But Blackiston has the gelding back in training early with a plan to increase Outback Joe’s rating in lead-up races.
“He has at least passed the first ballot clause by winning the Adelaide Cup,” Blackiston said.
“I know he has to improve a bit to be a realistic chance in the Cup but (owner) Dennis (Marks) would be delighted if we can get him into the field and emulate his mother.”
Blackiston is keen to use the knowledge he gained during the stayer’s last preparation, which also included a win in the Listed Bagot Handicap at Flemington on January 1.
“I learned that he can peak twice in a preparation last time in,” Blackiston said.
“He will obviously need a couple of runs to get him up to a suitable trip but I could not be happier with the way he is coming along.”