Luke Price is confident punters will see Count De Rupee and Jamaea at their best throughout the Brisbane winter carnival after the pair returned to form on Saturday.
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The stablemates finished first and third respectively, in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm, with Scallopini splitting the duo in second.
Remarkably, it was Count De Rupee's first black-type victory.
Saturday's result came after a frustrating Sydney autumn beset by rain, both horses struggling on wet tracks.
But with the sun shining in Brisbane, the two horses showed what they are capable of and Price is confident Group 1 success beckons for Count De Rupee and Jamaea.
"It's great to see them back at their best, showing how good they are, instead of going to the races and coming home disappointed," Price said.
"At this stage it's full steam ahead to the Doomben 10,000 for Count De Rupee.
"Jamaea will go to the Kingsford-Smith Cup in four weeks, then if we're going good the Stradbroke two weeks after that.
"We're looking forward to aiming her at these Group 1 races, these are two horses that deserve a Group 1 win."
Saturday's result was an emotional affair for the Price stable, Luke's grandmother's funeral was held on Friday.
Given how challenging the past few months have been, on and off the track, the whole family was determined to finish a tough week on a positive note.
"It's obviously a special result, with my grandmother passing," Luke said. "We had some help from above when he snuck through that gap in the last 100m.
"It was a special way to end the week after a sad day on Friday, but also a celebration. It was great the whole family was able to get together, I was so happy I could be there before I jumped on the plane."
While Kerrin McEvoy swung wide to find clear air for Jamaea at the top of the straight, Brock Ryan had a far tougher time navigating a path to victory for Count De Rupee.
The former Price apprentice took the inside line, however appeared trapped behind favourite Rothfire and Scallopini. Ryan remained patient, a run eventually opened up and he stormed through to secure the win.
While he looked calm, the jockey was anything but.
"I was feeling sick when I was four pairs back the fence mid-race, and then it felt like I was going to spew at the furlong when I had no run," Ryan said.
"Luckily I had a pretty good horse with a good turn of foot underneath me to get the job done."
The jockey is likely to be back on Count De Rupee in the Doomben 10,000 and Price heaped praise on the youngster.
"He didn't wrap himself after the race," Price said. "He could've panicked and pushed out earlier but he showed all the faith he has in the horse.
"He needs to be a little bit more confident, he's lacked it a little bit, so it was good to see him go out there and ride like that."
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