Rock Sturdy will give Joe Pride some cause to reconsider Epsom Handicap plans if he can deliver a stakes win on Saturday – seven days later than his trainer had hoped.

Pride had designs on Rock Sturdy earning an Epsom start by winning last week’s Bill Ritchie Handicap.

That was until Rock Sturdy bowed to a comeback victory from Manawanui, denying his four-year-old a ballot-free ride into next week’s Group One mile race.

Rock Sturdy is favourite to make amends in the Shannon Stakes in what Pride insists isn’t a last-ditch attempt to get into the Epsom field.

“I wouldn’t say he’s unlikely to go to the Epsom,” Pride said.

“But if things worked out I’d consider it. I think the best opportunity was last week.”

Instead, Pride sees the Shannon as a chance for Rock Sturdy to at least post a stakes victory that will be thoroughly deserved in the eyes of one of Sydney’s in-form trainers.

“I nominated for (the Shannon) and I thought it looked like a winnable race,” Pride said.

“If we can get a Group Two (win) this preparation it will be a pretty decent achievement with him.”

Nine of the 14 Shannon acceptors remain in the Epsom and Rock Sturdy is a clear-cut top pick at $2.80 to go one better than a Bill Ritchie result that took time for Pride to put into perspective.

“In the first instance I was probably a little bit disappointed,” Pride said.

“But when you break the race down he got beaten by a pretty good horse in Manawanui who was clearly back to some pretty good form.

“There was a fair gap to the third horse so there should be a bit of merit to the form.”

Rock Sturdy shares the fifth line of Epsom betting as a $15 chance.