Chris Waller may have the two headline acts for the Caulfield Guineas, but co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr insist they won’t be rolling over quietly.
Waller’s duo — $3.50 favourite Autumn Boy and $4 second pick Wodeton — dominate early markets for Saturday’s Group 1, yet Price knows all too well that the Guineas can deliver surprises. After all, he famously trained $101 outsider Mighty Boss to win the 1600m classic in 2017.
This year, the Price and Kent Jnr stable saddle up two runners of their own: Space Rider ($34) and Planet Red ($18), and Price believes both colts are right where they need to be heading into the race.
“I have no complaints about their training, but you have to come here on the day and have a bit of luck,” Price said. “You can only have them right for the day and I think both of mine are right. They’ve both had preps aimed at the mile. Mighty Boss came here and was $101, so it can be that type of race.”
Space Rider endured a below-par performance when seventh at Moonee Valley two starts back but rebounded nicely when fourth to Estremo in the Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) on September 20. Planet Red, meanwhile, was third in that same Prelude after finishing fourth to Rosberg at Moonee Valley on September 6.
“If you give Planet Red some sort of each-way chance, then you give Space Rider some sort of each-way chance,” Price said. “I worked them together on Saturday on the grass and I thought they were perfect. Planet Red looks beautiful, and Space Rider looks good too. Planet Red is the uncomplicated gelding — they hold their form if they’re physically right — while colts like Space Rider can get a bit distracted on the day.”
A son of Japanese champion miler Admire Mars, Planet Red carries the pedigree of a natural 1600m performer, and Price said the gelding has developed perfectly across his preparation.
“When I had him in work earlier, I thought he had an immature frame and I resisted the temptation of getting him up to the mile,” he said. “This last two weeks has been perfect for him and he’s blooming. All I can say is ‘job done’ with both of them, and it’s now up to them to show they can do it.”
Price said timing is everything when targeting a Group 1 like the Caulfield Guineas, recalling how his star mare Charm Stone raced below her best in the Manikato Stakes despite ideal lead-up form.
“Charm Stone went to the Manikato and I don’t think everything turned up to their best rating on that night, but that’s half the thing,” Price said. “You have to have your horse spot on for the day — it comes down to timing — and that’s why I’m very happy with the timing of these two.”
Punters can view the latest odds and markets for the Caulfield Guineas at Australia’s leading betting sites.