Mick Price’s emerging stars Guest House and Big Sky are benchmarks for his other speedy colts, but a youngster he never saddled up continues to echo strongly in his recollections.
The trainer observed that his Home Affairs gelding echoes 2005 Golden Slipper hero Stratum, father to Guest House’s dam Flamboyant Lass, which spurred Price to invest $270,000 at last year’s Magic Millions January Yearling Sale.
Stratum went to Paul Perry for training after the latter outbid Price for the Redoute’s Choice colt during the 2004 yearling sales.
“I remember Stratum because I bid on him,” Price said.
“He was a beautiful colt with no pedigree and he (Guest House) reminds me of Stratum.
“When I saw him, that’s what I saw.”
In partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, Price sends Guest House out for his second career start since an effortless win at Cranbourne on December 27, entering the $350,000 Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield this Saturday.
Owned by Roll The Dice Racing, the colt looks to replicate Flying Artie, Price’s charge who captured a Prelude 10 years ago en route to a gallant runner-up finish behind stablemate Extreme Choice in the Blue Diamond.
That Extreme Choice had romped home by 4-1/2 lengths in the 1000m Chairman’s Stakes prior, a race recently dominated by three lengths by Guest House’s barnmate Big Sky.
Emulating their predecessors from 10 years past, Guest House at $4 and Big Sky at $4.50 command the shortest prices in this year’s Blue Diamond betting.
With a recent dominant 800m hit-out at Cranbourne on January 26 under his belt, Price expects the Saturday assignment in the $350,000 Group 3 to have Guest House firing for the Group 1 1200m Blue Diamond Stakes on February 21. Fans can dive into the racing betting markets ahead of the key Blue Diamond Prelude clash.
“He’s raring to go, that horse,” Price said.
“So, we’ll sit him off one on Tuesday, get a nice gallop (and) turn up in the 1100 where he’ll be hard to beat.
“He will improve and I reckon he’s got a very robust 1200 (metre race) in him.”
Thirteen colts and geldings are nominated, encompassing the Preview quartette of Alibaba, Milsons Point, Invicto and High Alert, alongside Eternal Warrior (Merson Cooper Stakes) and Eurocanto (Maribyrnong Trial).
A parallel $350,000 Group 2 Prelude for fillies draws 18 nominations topped by Geelong Diamond conqueror Moana Spirit.
The post Guest appearance a stark reminder for Price first appeared on Just Horse Racing.