Trainer Luke Price is convinced he has a quality metropolitan-grade stayer on his hands, but also remains upbeat four-year-old mare Tochi can continue her winning streak on return over 1500m at Kembla Grange.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tochi developed an impressive resume with three consecutive wins last preparation, the past two in Benchmark 70 company at Canterbury over 1900m on Soft and Heavy ground.
It set her up from a promising winter campaign and after a four-month break, the Price stable have opted to keep her at Kembla Grange first-up on Saturday, rather than a Benchmark 78 over 1500m at Rosehill where she was also nominated.
Price believes Tochi can perform at a high level getting out to 2400m, but expects her to handle her immediate assignment.
"She's exciting," Price said.
"I've only had her for two preparations, so it's taken a while to work out her quirks, she's highly-strung, but got a lot of ability.
"If she wins she'll go straight to town no matter what, so she'll get out over further, but she's run well over 1300m first-up before and should have won at Moruya (BM58 1425m), so I expect her to go close.
"We had her nominated for Rosehill as a back-up plan, just in case we got more rain and Kembla was postponed, but this will be a good starting point for her."
Price will take Cuban Royale to Rosehill for Saturday's BM78 over 1300m despite drawing wide in barrier 12.
Cuban Royale ran a game third behind Esperance in a BM88 over 1200m there a fortnight ago.
"If Kerrin (McEvoy) can get some cover midfield it might even work out well for him being the last race of the day," Price said.
"He ran really well last time, I'm not sure he's a Heavy tracker, but he seems to get through it well at Rosehill."
The Price stable presents Noble Soldier, a two-year-old Time For War gelding on debut over 1000m at Kembla Grange on Saturday. He's only had one trial, but also had two jumps outs.
"He's quite smart but very raw," Price said.
"I expect him to go well, he's certainly done enough fitness wise."
Noble Soldier has also been nominated for a Maiden at Nowra on Tuesday, while two-year-old filly Kimberley Rain is in the fields for both meetings as well.
Price said he will make a decision on Friday, with Kimberley Rain to step out to 1200m either way, after an eye-catching third over 1000m a fortnight ago.
Four-year-old mare Power Rush will have her third start for the Price stable since moving from Kris Lees in a Class 2 1200m.
Markwell optimistic despite heavy track
This week's rain has not played in Gwenda Markwell's favour, with the trainer hoping the Kembla Grange track dries out before Saturday's meeting.
The course is currently a heavy nine, with little hope for much of an upgrade given the nature of the venue and the chance of more showers on Friday.
Markwell has a nine runners nominated for Saturday's eight-race card, with the majority preferring the firmer ground.
Thor's Thunder is one exception and Markwell is confident the gelding can back up his last-start victory when he contests a 1500 metre benchmark 70.
The race is a step up in grade from the drought-breaking class one victory last month, however with Alysha Collett back in the saddle, the stable is eyeing another top-three finish.
The trainer is also confident Teronito can break through for his maiden victory after a last-start second at Kembla Grange.
That contest was also run on a heavy nine and while Markwell would prefer a drier track, she has been impressed by the three-year-old's work in the past fortnight.
Saturday will mark the first race of Philanthropist's winter campaign, the gelding set to feature in a 1200m class two handicap.
Last raced in February, it's been a busy few months for the four-year-old, owner Ross Williams transferring him from Markwell to Mark Gee's Goulburn stable, before unexpectedly returning the horse to Markwell.
Despite impressing in a recent jump out, Philanthropist is expected to find the heavy track challenging.
Adelong aimed towards spring success
The decision to keep Adelong home in her box last week was a no-brainer for Brad Widdup as he plots a steady path towards bigger goals. Adelong will contest the Catanachs Sprint (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday, a week after she was scratched from the Listed Bob Charley Stakes.
"I was never really going there, especially once Classique Legend was there," Widdup said.
"This race was always more suitable. There's no reason to rush just yet, there are plenty of black-type races for fillies and mares over the spring."
Widdup's patience has been rewarded so far.
After making her debut at four, Adelong has won five of her seven starts and is a clear-cut favourite at Rosehill.
Her younger barn mate Showtime Lady will make her metropolitan debut in the Darley 2YO Handicap (1100m) after winning her only start at Canberra in December.
Widdup initially had Brisbane winter carnival ambitions for Showtime Lady before the COVID-19 pandemic. AAP