The Lloyd Kennewell-trained Kempinsky four-year-old Rialya went out as a $12 chance in the bookmaker.com.au markets for the $400,000 Group 2 Adelaide Cup (3200m) but proved the value bet of the day.

Coming off a second to today’s Adelaide Cup fourth placegetter Enchanting Waters in the Group 3 Lord Reims Stakes (2600m) at the track just over a fortnight ago, today Rialya relished the step up in distance and proved a genuine stayer to watch out for.

Benefiting from their 54kg lightweight, local hoop Shayne Cahill having wasted hard over the past week to make the weight for the ride, Rialya was able to snare the Adelaide Cup trophy from Michael Moroney’s champion import Drunken Sailor right on the line.

“He got off the fence at the right time,” Cahill said.

“Just worked the run in the right time.

“It was a bit of a stop and start race.

“He’s finished off at the right time.

“It’s great.”

In a thrilling final 800-metres after Drunken Sailor ($5) hit the front ahead of early leader and eventual 16th placed Warringah, late moves from the likes of Rialya and Mornington Cup winner Norsqui made for a cracker finish to the Adelaide Cup 2012.

Following Rialya and Drunken Sailor over the line two lengths away third was Norsqui, while Enchanting Waters held on for fourth ahead of $5 equal favourite Hanks who never looked in the finish.

Rialya has now won seven of their 24 career starts for close to $448,000 in prize money.

It was an excellent Adelaide Cup result for young local trainer Kennewell being his first major result.

“Shane gave him a beautiful ride,” Kennewell said.

“Just a terrific ride.

“This horse is tough, he’s strong and we just can’t believe he’s actually done it

“It’s surreal.”

“I’m 28 and this is by first big race win.”

See below for the full 2012 Adelaide Cup result and finishing order.

The next major staying feature of the autumn, and a likely aim for many of the top Adelaide Cup horses, is the 2012 Sydney Cup running at Randwick on April 28.

Nominations for the $500,000 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) will be taken on Tuesday March 13.

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2012 Adelaide Cup Results

5-year-old Muir, trained by Robert Hickmott, put in a great staying run to be near the lead the entire race after a great jump from the widest barrier (18) and surged to the front in the home straight, holding off the fast finishing Saddlers Story and Macedonian.

It looked like second favourite Macedonian might have threatened, but the real danger came from Saddlers Story who finished strongly down the outside over the 3200m race.

WA raider Big Ted lead the field around until the final 900m where Pergola took the lead from Muir. While it looked like favourite King Diamond was going to reward his backers when he started his run through the middle of the field, he was unable to find the needed speed over the last 400m to make the placings.

Adelaide Cup Results 2011

The Patrick Payne-trained Kiwi stayer Capecover ($5) beat home stablemate Kerdem ($6.50) by a length with Mark Kavanagh’s Itstheone ($10) in third just a short half-head away.

The $4.20 favourite Fairygem, prepared by master Victorian trainer Peter Moody, finished just out of the money in fourth.

It was a sensational result for Plumpton-based trainer Payne, a former champion jockey, and the biggest success of his training career. Payne has now tasted Adelaide Cup success as both a jockey and trainer, as he won aboard Our Pompeii 16 years ago in 1994.

There was a nervous delay following the race, however, as Kerdem’s jockey Payne’s sister Michelle, protested the result. It would still have been a win for Payne either way, but Capecover’s victory was upheld as the objection regarding an alleged interference at the top of the straight was rejected.

After settling towards the back of the field early, topweight Capecover made his move up the outside on the straight charging to the front.

Kerdem put in a courageous effort, challenging the leader and eventual winner all the way down the home straight. The close racing resulted in some bumping between the top two finishers, which was the cause of Michelle Payne’s protest, but not enough to overturn the results.

Capecover was ridden by Steven Arnold, giving the hoop his second Adelaide Cup win following his success on Gallic in 2007.

Capecover has now won 12 of his 43 career starts for prizemoney in excess of $840, 420. Payne has expressed interest in preparing the son of Cape Cross for the prestigious Group 1 Sydney Cup on April 24 at Randwick, but it all depends on how Capecover pulls up over the next week.

Other excellent races to fill the card at the Adelaide Cup meeting included the $100, 000 Group 3 R N Irwin Stakes (1100m) where improving More Than Ready mare Augusta Proud claimed an upset win, and the $200, 000 Group 2 Yallambee Classic (1200m) won by the impressive filly Majestic Music, a stablemate to Augusta Proud. The two group winners gave local trainers Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas a sensational feature race double at the meeting.

2010 Adelaide Casino Adelaide Cup Results