Thank the Lord.
This was the immediate reply from co-trainer Mick Price upon being queried if he welcomed the news of Observer missing from Planet Red’s lineup in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prepared by Mick Price alongside Michael Kent Jnr, Planet Red targets Caulfield, but Observer turns attention northward to Sydney for Group 1 riches in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
On two occasions this campaign, the Price and Kent Jnr charge has finished behind Observer, taking second in Caulfield’s Autumn Stakes (1400m) and Flemington’s Australian Guineas (1600m).
“With all due respect to that very good horse Observer, he was unlucky in the Caulfield Guineas, but we ran second and Planet Red’s two runs this time in have been dictated to by bad barriers,” Price said.
“First-up he was ridden cold and whooshed home very well and then in the Australian Guineas, it was the same thing.
“I couldn’t work out how to ride him and watching the race unfold, I think it was the right thing to do.
“It’s a different race on Saturday, different tempo, different barrier, and I think it will be change of tactics.
“In a 2000-metre race when they sit up there will be no need for him to be too far away.”
Planet Red’s preparation could end after the weekend, Price noted, since he hopes to see the gelding gain some physical condition.
He is not entirely sold on Planet Red as a long-distance specialist, but anticipates no trouble with Saturday’s 2000m.
“He’s a strong horse, with a good brain, but while he’s a good size, he just doesn’t have the muscle on him that I would like to see,” Price said.
“He’s done the work to run 2000 metres, He’s fit, very sound and it’s a nice race for him, but I don’t think I will persevere too long this preparation because he’s a growing horse on a good frame.
“I don’t know if he’s a true staying horse, but he’s a nice miler, 2000-metre horse and I think he will come back as a nice four-year-old if we look after him.
“Hopefully he can go out on a winning note.”
Compare racing betting markets ahead of Planet Red’s run in the Alister Clark Stakes.