While much of the boom of the day will focus on the second ever running of the Magic Millions Adelaide 2YO Classic, the Swettenham itself is shaping as a major highlight.

Adelaide racing authorities are pleased with the field they have been able to assemble. The plan of Thoroughbred Racing South Australia (TRSA) is to attempt to have the race upgraded to Group One level.

"This year we've boosted the prizemoney of the race up by $50,000 as we attempt to press for it to become a Group One event," TRSA's Racing Manager Ian Hart said.

"We've received a lot more interest from around the country this year and even some from New Zealand," he added.

Hart and his team are pleased to see that two of Perth's current female stars - Lady Belvedere and Lady Wild - are set to race at Cheltenham Park.

As well Victoria is represented through the Group winner Miss Power Bird, rising talent Suzy Grey and Group One winner True Jewels.

Rounding out the field are a host of star locals. Last start Melbourne winners Shaye Spice and Hello Boys will go head to head with Group winners Raja Lane and Regal Kiss.

The field unfortunately lost one of its Group winning stars in the form of Shelbourne Lass. Trained Nigel Blackiston was certain to travel the mare to Adelaide for Saturday's race however an illness problem will see her remain in the stables.

Last year's winner Umaline is back again. In what is looming as her final preparation her breeder and part owner Maurie Howard will be desperate for her to add further black type to her already illustrious record.

A member of the John Hall stable, Umaline was a long shot in last year's event but she produced a powerful finish to down Fayrouz and Crixia in a thrilling finish. Interesting to note that subsequent Sunline conqueror Piavonic was in the beaten brigade in last year's Group Two event.

Adding a great deal of intrigue to the race are the two Perthernian Ladies - Belvedere and Wild.

Lady Belvedere, a member of the Lindsey Smith stable at Jandakot, is racing in great form in the west. Last start the Bob Peters owned Royal Academy mare scored a neck win over Clementi in the listed Australia Day Stakes. That win was her second from her past three starts - all of which have been at stakes level. On the only occasion she was beaten was when she was tipped out in a photo finish by Tribula in the Scahill Stakes (G3) at Ascot.

Trained by Val Brockman Lady Wild was one of the finds of the season in Perth during the middle of last year. In the space of about four months she won nine of ten starts all in the metropolitan area. Her last success in the Beaufine Stakes was at listed level on July 14. A daughter of Wild Harmony, Lady Wild has won five races over 1200 metres and was a last start third placegetter (beaten three quarters of a length) over the same trip.

True Jewels, a member of the powerful Michael Moroney stable, is a big time performer. A winner of the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes over another Swettenham rival La Lagune, she is owned by a group of nine women. Her effort two starts back when fourth in the G1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield behind Magical Miss, Ha Ha and Li Lo Lill was full or merit.

The Sangster family, who own Swettenham Stud, will be desperate for their filly La Lagune to get the chocolates. A regally bred daughter of Danehill, she is now owned in partnership between Robert Sangster's Swettenham Stud Syndicate and Mark Pilkington's Lindsay Park Racing Syndicate. A stakes winner of the Quezette Stakes she hasn't raced since finishing out of a place behind the in form Barkada on November 17 at Sandown in Melbourne.

FINAL FIELD

$272,000 SWETTENHAM STUD STAKES
Group Two - 1250 metres - Fillies and Mares - Weight-for-Age
Cheltenham Park - Adelaide - 3.50pm (SA time)

PICS - Quentin Lang.

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