THEY’RE undaunted!
Despite narrowly missing out on a maiden Group 1 triumph with Our Gold Hope at Eagle Farm last Saturday, father and son Rob and Luke Price are ready for another crack at a major at the same track on Saturday.
The leading Kembla Grange trainers have decided to continue two-year-old Smashing Time’s preparation, and will accept with him on Tuesday morning for the $1m JJ Atkins (1600m).
Tommy Berry sticks with Smashing Time after finishing fifth (beaten less than three lengths) on him to odds-on Atkins favorite Broadsiding in the Group 2 BRC Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 1.
Racing Queensland stewards reported the gelding was momentarily held up making the home turn.
Berry also was aboard when the Brave Smash youngster, who races in the Australian Bloodstock colours, was an outstanding third from the outside barrier in a 2YO Handicap (1400m) on the Kensington track on May 15.
“Dad has been at the Gold Coast with Our Gold Hope and Smashing Time, and the reports about the latter are good,” co-trainer Luke Price said on Monday.
“He has had a good week since the Sires and continued to please us.
“We will accept with him for the JJ Atkins, which will be his last run this campaign.
“However, if there are any signs he is training off, then we won’t take any risks.”
The Price boys were so close to adding that Group 1 to their 37 winners so far this season when Our Gold Hope ($26 to $16) was just beaten by $101 bolter Socks Nation, after looking as though she would overhaul the winner, in the Queensland Oaks (2200m).
“We’ll get a Group 1; it will come,” Luke Price said.
“We contemplated spelling Our Gold Hope in Queensland, but she is coming home for a break and we will be able to keep an eye on her.”
Smashing Time will be provincial racing’s sole representative in the Atkins, and Kris Lees’ Dream Houe (Kyle Wilson-Taylor) is expected to be the only provincial runner in the $3m Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) when final acceptances are taken on Tuesday morning.
Star Newcastle apprentice Dylan Gibbons has gained the Stradbroke mount on Ciaron Maher’s Semana, on whom he landed the Magic Millions Cup (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
Gibbons was subsequently placed on the mare in two $1m Group 1s at the Sydney autumn carnival; the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens and Queen of the Turf Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.
Team Price had to play “second fiddle” again at Monday’s Canterbury meeting; their well-backed filly Glitterscript ($5.50) powering home and just failing to catch Maili ($11) in the 2YO Maiden Plate (1250m).
She had been fractious in the barrier and was passed fit to start.
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Three provincial-trained stayers have been nominated for Saturday’s Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens.
Newcastle’s Kris Lees has entered import Point King, Hawkesbury’s Marc Chevalier has Torrens, and Camaguey is Wyong trainer Kim Waugh’s entry.
Story John Curtis, June 10, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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