Racing: Rain hurts plans for Envoy

Ken Kelso couldn't believe his bad luck when it rained in Adelaide on Saturday.

The Matamata trainer has gone a long way to produce smart in-form stayer Envoy into the A$400,000 Adelaide Cup on what has been a suitable firm track for as long as anyone can remember.

It has not rained in Adelaide for at least two months and a continuance would have suited Kelso and Envoy just fine.

"Although they didn't downgrade the track from firm, it was definitely dead [easy] for the latter races yesterday," said Kelso.

"There was not a lot of rain, but it was just enough to make a difference."

It was fine in Adelaide yesterday and the forecast for today was favourable. Kelso is desperate for the Morphettville surface to get back to firm for this afternoon's 3200m feature.

"There is a little concern about the inside strip of the track," said Kelso. "It hasn't been used for six months and the riders were saying yesterday that it was definitely softer than the ground they had been using lately out wider.

"All jockeys were coming wide and avoiding that bit of ground yesterday. Unless it improves you wouldn't want to be caught on the inside in that sort of footing in a race like the Adelaide Cup."

Kelso has already had one piece of bad luck - he has been denied the services of New Zealand jockey Leith Innes, who was to have flown from Hong Kong for the one ride today.

Innes was suspended in Hong Kong on Wednesday. He was permitted to ride there on Saturday night because jockeys had already been declared when the suspension was handed out. Kelso had hoped the same would apply to the Envoy engagement because riders for today's race were also declared before last Wednesday night.

"I called the chairman of stewards in Hong Kong and explained the situation.

"They had a meeting about it and I got the chief stipe from here in Adelaide to call them as well, but they refused permission for Leith to fly out. They just don't bend the rules in Hong Kong."

Innes' replacement is Paul Harvey, one of Perth's leading jockeys. Harvey is the regular rider of star Perth 3-year-old Plastered, who won the Victoria Derby in the spring.

"Everyone here is telling me I'm lucky to have him," said Kelso.

Kelso says he has no worries about Envoy managing the 3200m at his first attempt.

Envoy was quoted at $14 last night.

Fellow Matamata galloper Showgirl is New Zealand's second opportunity in the big race.

Her lead-up form has been on a steadily upward spiral and although there is no precedent for the extreme distance, the classy mare gives the impression she might cope.

Trainer John Sargent will be looking for a better finish to the weekend after Tickle could finish only fourth to Sir Dex when she had conditions to suit in the A$300,000 Prime Ministers Cup at the Gold Coast meeting in Queensland on Saturday.

Scott Seamer, who won on Tickle at her previous start, rides Showgirl. Seamer had success aboard Showgirl at the Ellerslie meeting in March.

"I rode Showgirl at Ellerslie over 1600 metres and I think she seems a good ride in the Cup," Seamer said. "The query will be the 3200 metres.

"She's won over 2100 metres but hasn't yet raced over the longer trip."

Seamer warmed up for his Adelaide assignment with a winning double at Eagle Farm yesterday including Filante Etoile in the Listed Metropolitan Hcp (2100m) for Takanini trainer, Richard Yuill.

Last night she was a $23 chance in the Cup.

Adelaide Cup

* The group one A$400,000 Adelaide Cup is run at Morphettville today.

* Class Matamata stayer Envoy is near peak.

* The break in the drought could not have happened at a worse time for him.

* The other Kiwi, Showgirl, is untried at the distance but could acquit herself well.