SA trainers to target country cups

South Australian trainers have more Victorian Country Cup features in their sights.

NOT USUAL GLORIOUS winning the Tab (Bm72)
NOT USUAL GLORIOUS winning the Tab (Bm72) Picture: Atkins Photography

Following on from the success of the Travis Doudle-trained Not Usual Glorious in last Friday's $125,000 Benalla Gold Cup, fellow Morphettville trainer Will Clarken is chasing another feature for last-start Balaklava Cup winner Noname Lane in Sunday week's $200,000 Sale Cup (1600m).

Coming off a solid effort in the Balaklava Cup, Not Usual Glorious added to an impressive resume since coming to Australia recording his ninth win from 17 starts since joining Doudle's stable and taking prizemoney past the $400,000 barrier in the process.

"It was a big thrill, the heavens opened, we'd been waiting for that heavy track,'' Doudle said.

"He'll be staying around those sorts of races, there are a couple of country cups in mind and a nice race at Caulfield.

"He's in form, doing super well and we can pick and choose but there are some nice races there for him,'' he said.

Clarken will take a couple of contrasting paths with his Balaklava Cup runners after producing three of the first five horses home.

Winner Noname Lane heads to Sale while runner-up Zoulah and Agreeable (fifth) are likely to target the Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup over 1800m.

"Noname Lane will go to the Sale Cup,'' Clarken said.

"Zoulah might have a run over 1400m at Morphettville this weekend and I think the Murray Bridge Cup shapes up well for Agreeable.

"Getting her onto the bigger more spacious track will suit her,'' he said.


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