Luke Price has long held high hopes for Count De Rupee.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A $145,000 yearling, expectations were high from the moment he entered the stable.
The gelding has largely delivered, winning two Saturday city races and contesting the Group 3 Fred Best at Eagle Farm.
Price has carefully managed Count De Rupee's progress, confident his best was ahead. Now comes the time to perform.
The four-year-old will start a spring campaign filled with lofty goals at Kembla Grange on Saturday.
It's the venue Price hopes to also finish his campaign in the $1 million The Gong in November, the trainer eager to gain a start in the Golden Eagle along the way.
"He's in really good order," Price said.
"He's ticking all the boxes, we are mindful he's only had one jump out, but he's at the mark and is naturally fit.
"We just want to see a good run on Saturday. He still has to improve a length or two to get up to Ayrton and I feel he can get there.
"He will only get better with racing. If he wins on Saturday, we might go straight to the Silver Eagle then hopefully the Golden Eagle. The big goal is The Gong, a $1 million race on his home track, but for now we're taking it one race at a time."
The pieces have fallen into place for Count De Rupee on Saturday.
With apprentice Brock Ryan on board, the gelding will carry just 53 kilograms and jump from barrier five.
He has previously performed first-up and appears the top horse in the race.
The market agrees, installing Count De Rupee as the $3.90 TAB favourite, ahead of Godolphin's Emanate at $4.40.
Ryan has an extra incentive to deliver a winner, the apprentice hoping to retain the ride for the spring.
The jockey regularly partners the horse in work and is confident he will deliver on his home track.
"I'm excited to see what he can do first-up," Ryan said. "I expect him to run very well.
"I ride him most mornings and it feels like he's come back really well. He hasn't been in work a long time but he gets fit quite quickly. He's drawn a lovely barrier, if we have a nice run in transit he'll be very hard to beat."
The Illawarra Mercury news app is now officially live on both iOS and Android devices. It is available for download in the Apple Store and Google Play.