Accredited, the late-blooming gelding, is set to make his black-type debut in the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, following an unexpected change in plans. Originally the favorite for last week’s Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, which was canceled due to insufficient entries, trainer Joe Pride has had to adjust strategies.
“It’s Plan E, actually. It’s nowhere near as good a plan (as the Carrington Stakes). We were going to run a short-priced favourite in a Listed race,” Pride explained. “But he will still run well because he’s a nice horse. I’m happy with that.”
Accredited didn’t start racing until the end of his three-year-old season due to various setbacks, including repeated shin soreness. Despite these challenges, he has impressively achieved six wins and four placings from only 13 starts.
“He was always a bit of a brute of a horse so he wasn’t slow to develop, he was just slow to get there,” commented Pride. “He is older and stronger now and going through the grades at a time when his body can handle it. It’s not a bad thing.”
For Saturday’s race, Jay Ford will take the reins, marking the fourth different jockey in as many victories. The race will feature nine contenders, including last year’s runner-up Hard To Say, and Bjorn Baker’s entries Iowna Merc, Wategos, and the in-form Disneck.