A drying surface at Rosehill isn’t expected to hinder shock Winter Stakes winner Estadio Mestalla, but it could be just what his stablemate Accredited needs to turn the tables when they meet again.

Estadio Mestalla stunned punters at $61 when he landed the Listed Winter Stakes on a soft 7 track, finishing ahead of fellow Joe Pride-trained runner Accredited, who finished third.

With Rosehill set to race on a soft 5 or better this Saturday, Pride believes Accredited is well placed to reverse the result in the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m).

“I have actually always thought he (Estadio Mestalla) was better on the dry than on the wet,” Pride said.

“But the main thing is, I would think Accredited would improve a couple of lengths.

“Accredited is probably the top seed but there’s not a lot between them.”

Accredited has won six of his seven races on good ground, with his only other success coming on a soft 5, giving weight to the belief that firmer footing could be key to his best form.

Pride admitted the ground last start proved more testing than expected and may have contributed to Accredited’s defeat.

“Disappointing result but understandable given the track conditions on the day,” he said.

“They were a little bit worse than what I thought we were going to get when I left him in that on the Saturday morning.”

Accredited is rated a $4.60 chance for Saturday’s feature, while Estadio Mestalla sits on the third line of betting at $7.50.

Despite his long odds last time out, Pride sees Estadio Mestalla’s effort as more of a return to form than a fluke.

“I think so. He’s always been a really honest, genuine horse so it was surprising to me that he wasn’t racing well,” Pride said.

“Now that he has turned it around, I’d be very surprised if he didn’t run well again.”

Pride will also be represented in the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1200m) by Reflect, who resumes after finishing behind stakes performers King Of Pop and Savvy Hallie on debut.

Reflect, by So You Think, is a filly the trainer believes has plenty of upside.

“I like her. So You Think can throw a nice horse but she is just stunning,” he said.

“She has got the diva attitude to her too.

“She will get out over more ground and probably the autumn will be her go.”

For the best odds on the Winter Challenge and more, explore the top betting sites in Australia.