BUSY will be the operative word for leading Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Prince at their home track meeting tomorrow.
The father and son duo has acceptors in all eight races, but will have runners in seven events as Murringo Gap (1300m Maiden Handicap) is lining up at Moruya this afternoon instead.
Also, Zeema is a likely absentee from the 3YO Maiden Handicap (1300m).
Nonetheless, it will be full steam ahead as the Price boys seek to add to their 18 local winners (32 overall) so far this season, and extend their premiership lead.
Their runners are:
. VERBEK (Benchmark 68 Handicap, 2000m);
. MONTE BRAVEHEART (Super Maiden Plate, 1500m);
. BLENHAM, ISLA D’AMORE & GLITTERSCRIPT (2YO Maiden Plate, 1200m);
. DEFYING & PRETTY RHO (Midway 3YO Maiden Handicap, 1000m);
. OCEAN EYES (3YO Maiden Handicap, 1300m);
. SPIRIT OF VARANASI (Class 1 Handicap, 1300m);
. MONTE MAXIMUS (Benchmark 64 Handicap, 1500m).
The riding engagements will be shared between Robbie Downey, Keagan Latham, Blake Spriggs and Ash Morgan.
Downey, who landed the first two winners at yesterday’s Gosford Anzac Day meeting but later incurred a dual suspension (his penalty doesn’t start until May 5), will partner Verbek, Monte Braveheart, Isla D’Amore and Defying.
Latham rides Pretty Rho, Ocean Eyes and Spirit Of Varanasi, Spriggs is on Blenham and Morgan rides Monte Maximus.
Spriggs, who has resettled in Newcastle after a brief Queensland sojourn, is competing at his first NSW provincial meeting as he launches a new chapter of his career.
He has also been booked by fellow Kembla Grange trainer Brett Lazzarini for Bonus Tempus in the 1300m Class 1 Handicap.
Acknowledging it will be all hands on deck at Kembla Grange, co-trainer Luke Price is looking forward to Monte Braveheart’s performance in the Super Maiden Plate.
A three-year-old son of Harry Angel, Monte Braveheart has been placed only once from seven starts to date.
“We have a bit of time for him, but he is yet to show his ability at the races,” Price said on Friday morning.
“He has had three runs back, and hasn’t been far away in all of them.
“Monte Braveheart gives you a good feel in his work, and the step up to 1500m should suit him.
“Winning this race would be a great way to break through, being a $60,000 purse for a Super Maiden.”
Team Price is still eyeing a Brisbane winter campaign for their talented filly Our Gold Hope, who ran a brave and close third against the “boys” in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick last Saturday on a heavy track.
She was also runner-up to Queen Of Dragons (one of the leading hopes in Saturday’s Group 1 Australasian Oaks at Morphettville) in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) last month.
“We have given her this week off in the paddock, and she will come back to the stable on Monday,” Luke Price said.
“We had enough time to give her a break away from the stable, and at this stage our intention is to run her in the Group 2 Doomben Roses (2000m) on May 26.
“Her performance in the Roses will determine whether she goes on to the Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm a fortnight later.
“There is also a chance our two-year-old Smashing Time (a home track winner last Saturday) also will go to Brisbane.”
. The rail is in the TRUE position for tomorrow’s meeting, which begins at 12.25pm, and course manager Dave Anderson on Friday morning posted a “Good 4” rating.
Story John Curtis, April 26, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
Michael Craig’s selections are::
Race 1 - 1 Mountain Guest Unlucky in town last start
5 Diabelli Ran home gamely at Newcastle, ready to peak
5 Vadamos Queen Has been close up in 2 starts since a spell;
Race 2 - 2 Chilly Charlie Wasn’t beaten far first up at W’Farm
9 Glebe Consistent and drops back from metro grade
5 New Forest Should be running on;
Race 3 - 13 Pelosa Strong through the line in recent trial
9 Horizons 3 solid trials leading into debut with 2kg claim to help
15 Lazzura Wasn’t asked to do much in only trial, Drawn well;
Race 4 - 12 In My Dreams should to be hard to run down from inside draw
8 Shamrock Sally returning from spell after 2 solid trials
11 Heavenly As could show up at odds;
Race 5 - 1 Aix En Provence resuming and looks a strong chance
11 Be Real good effort in recent trial
5 Sheetice usually races well fresh;
Race 6 - 1 Artifactx improving with every start
8 Pippi Beach worked home strongly at Newcastle
10 Wild Gypsy promising effort in recent trial;
Race 7 - 1 Mogwai ready after 2 recent trials
4 Watch My Girl narrowly beaten last start
11 Bonus Tempus flashed home at Wyong;
Race 8 - 3 Draco’s Fire could be hard to run down
2 Code In Time winner at both starts this time in
9 Napoleon Solo chance on best form;