Stablemates primed for Morphettville action in 2026

With the finals day fast approaching at Morphettville, trainer Sarah Rutten is looking to be a player in that day’s action.

But first, Rutten has to win her way into one of the finals and hopes From The Block can be that galloper.

From The Block runs in the Sportsbet Green Tick Handicap (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday where he will be joined by stablemate Eventually who is kicking off her campaign.

Rutten was considering a trip to the upcoming Flemington carnival with From The Block, but if all goes according to plan the gelding will remain in South Australia for a tilt at Finals Day on November 21.

“We had been thinking of heading across the border to Flemington, but if he could qualify for one of the finals over here, it’s a chance for us South Australians to win some good prize money without having to travel interstate,” Rutten said.

“He’s tough, he’s fit and he seems to have come through last week’s run really well.”

A winner at Murray Bridge in September, From The Block shouldered 61kg when fourth at Morphettville in benchmark 70 grade last week.

From The Block rises to benchmark 84 grade on Saturday but drops to 56kg and has Connor Murtagh back in the saddle.

“The other day he had to do it pretty hard with 61 kilos from barrier 16,” Rutten said.

“I was happy with his effort. He’s a tough horse and it’s good having Connor back on board, even though it’s a tough race, full of smart horses.

“Even though he’s quite a big horse and he does carry weight well, the weight drop is nice on Saturday.”

Rutten said Eventually will find Saturday’s race far too short and is starting a campaign that may again lead to the Adelaide Cup.

Eventually won the Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at Morphettville before running eighth in the Adelaide Cup (3200m) in March, the mare’s most recent appearance.

Rutten had hoped to kick off Eventually’s program in the Murray Bridge Cup earlier in the month, but a few little niggles delayed that.

“Her rating is really tricky,” Rutten said.

“She’s an 89-rater and here in Adelaide it’s hard to find anything suitable. I was trying to have her up for the Murray Bridge Cup, but that did not happen.

“This is her first-up run, and she’s pretty much using this as a trial, she will be out the back and hopefully closing off.

“They will be much too sharp at that trip for her.

“If she comes through it OK, we’ll go to the John Letts Cup (on November 3), which will be more like her first proper run of the campaign.

“I would have liked a 1400-metre race to kick her off, but there are none available with her rating.”

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