Mick Price knows what it takes to win an Australian Guineas, and Space Rider is now on that path after scoring a strong win in the Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.

The colt overcame what co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr described as a tricky barrier to claim the Group 3 event over 1200 metres, maintaining his perfect first-up record.

“He is still a bit of a bull and he knows he’s good,” stable racing manager Tom Sheahan said.

Space Rider ($15) defeated stablemate Job Done ($5.50) by half a length, with race favourite Salty Pearl ($5) another half-length away in third.

“Mick said not to get too far out of your ground because I wasn’t to see him through the line,” jockey Ethan Brown said.

“He bounced well and put himself there but he is a big colt who needs stimulation so I was happy to have him travelling with the tempo, even though we probably hit the front a bit soon.

“I just played around with him – one on the left, one on the right – just kept him thinking but when other horses got to him he pinned his ears back and wanted to win that race.”

Following the win, Space Rider tightened from $26 into $15 for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 28.

Sheahan indicated the C.S. Hayes Stakes (1400m) could be his next target.

Price previously completed the C.S. Hayes–Guineas double with Grunt in 2016, prior to forming his partnership with Kent Jnr.

Those following the Australian Guineas can compare the latest betting markets for the race as the carnival builds.

The post Bullish Space Rider on path to Australian Guineas first appeared on Just Horse Racing.