The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team is carefully considering whether Golden Path should line up in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
If connections commit to the Caulfield feature, then Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) will act as his stepping stone towards the $5 million staying test on October 18.
“It is still to be confirmed but he’ll have a nomination in the Turnbull,” Kent Jnr said.
“We’ve had some lengthy discussions with the ownership group, and we might have a throw at the Caulfield Cup.
“If we are going that way, and I think we are, then the Turnbull is the likely lead in.”
Golden Path has raced three times this preparation. He began with a third over 1600m at Caulfield on August 16, carried 61kg to score at Flemington over 1700m on September 13, then ran a brave third — beaten less than half-a-length — in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) just a week later.
Price and Kent Jnr rated that Underwood run as his best to date.
“Our opinion is he’s probably a couple of lengths shy of the best horses in these weight-for-age races over 2000 (metres) and his chance of winning a big race is in a handicap like the Caulfield Cup,” Kent Jnr said.
“We think he’s in the race, which is a start, he’s got 54-½ kilos, so he’s in with a reasonable weight.
“My personal gut feel is that he’ll enjoy 2400 (metres). It’s a bit of a gamble as he’s never been past 2000 metres, but I think it’s the right time to take that gamble.
“It’s a $5 million punt and the way he can sustain a gallop over 2000 (metres), I’d be hopeful he would enjoy 2400 (metres).
“He’s got a great racing style that suits Caulfield and he’s a horse in really good form.
“We may not get the same opportunity next year.”
Kent Jnr confirmed the horse will need another run before the Caulfield Cup, with the Turnbull Stakes the preferred path. The alternative, the Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on October 11, is unlikely as backing up twice in the space of a week would be too demanding.
Connections also believe Golden Path has matured with time but remain realistic about his ability.
“The winter in Sydney last year was when he found his best form,” Kent Jnr said.
“The autumn in Sydney this year, we were forced into those better Group 1’s and he was three-to-five lengths short of them, and we were running against the country’s best horses, and he wasn’t up to them at those distances.
“It was nice to get him back winning in a handicap at Flemington.
“I think he ran well to show us he’s in career best form and it makes a lot of sense in my opinion to have a go at the Caulfield Cup under handicap conditions.
“It’s not an easy race but I think he’s the
