2015 Bletchingly Stakes Field: Coronet Bay suits Pilly’s Wish

Mick Price credits a beach environment as the key to the recent city-winning form of Pilly’s Wish.

The four-year-old holds a nomination for the Bletchingly Stakes on Saturday but Price says the mare is more than likely to run in a fillies and mares event over 1200m on the same program at Caulfield.

Pilly’s Wish has two wins and a second from three starts this campaign, including victory over 1200m against her own sex at Caulfield last start.

“She’s going fantastic down at Coronet Bay and that’s why she’s going well,” Price said.

“She wouldn’t be going as good if she was trained in the normal environment.

“There’s a big, undulating track down there and she has a paddock during the day and is boxed at night.”

Price trains his team of horses at Caulfield but also has a handful of horses based at the property of fellow trainer Eric Musgrove at Coronet Bay, south-east of Melbourne.

“I would have four or five horses that are suited to being down there,” Price said.

“That’s my beach arm and it works really well.”

Price has also recently sent Eximius to Coronet Bay for a change of scenery and the five-year-old gelding runs in an 1800m race on Saturday.

“Eximius is having his first start from Coronet Bay. I’ve had him for a long time, since he was a yearling, and won $400,000 (prizemoney) with him but I thought it might have been time for a change,” Price said.

Onpicalo will run in the same race and Price said Onpicalo needs a wet track.

Three-year-old Volcanic Ash chases back-to-back city wins in a 1400m handicap for three-year-olds and Damien Oliver has the ride.

Price said Volcanic Ash would also be suited by soft conditions.

Meanwhile, the Bletchingly Stakes is the main race on Saturday and has attracted 15 nominations.

The Wez Hunter-trained Smokin’ Joey was a late nomination when entries were extended until Tuesday after 11 initial nominations were taken.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au

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