TEAM PRICE ON SONG FOR A CITY “HAT-TRICK”

IT’S not often a provincial stable wins races at three consecutive metropolitan meetings.

Kembla Grange premiership winning trainers Rob and Luke Price have already got two on the board, and are hoping to get the “hat-trick” at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The father and son team scored with Smashing Time at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday, and doubled up with Island Dec at Canterbury yesterday.

Now they are heading back to town on Saturday with Century Song for a Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m), and Island Dec’s rider Tommy Berry has the mount.

And co-trainer Luke Price isn’t put off by the gelding’s wide draw.

“Century Song is a big-striding horse, and the wide draw isn’t necessarily a disadvantage,” he said today.

“He will be able to get into his rhythm, even if he has to sit three or four wide and hopefully gets some cover.

“Century Song drops 5.5kg on his first-up second at home, and is ready to run well.

“His chances will be even better if the favorite Ice Kool goes to Melbourne.”

Impressive first-up winner Ice Kool also is an acceptor for the 3YO Handicap (1100m) at Flemington, where he has drawn an inside gate, and has the same weight (60kg) as at Randwick.

Century Song has been a consistent performer for Team Price, winning three and placing six times from his 11 starts to date.

He put those three wins together (Nowra and then twice at Kembla Grange) at the end of his last campaign, and resumed at home on June 2 when runner-up with 61.5kg to Sunday Tycoon in a Conditional Benchmark 68 Handicap (1000m).

He jumped from the outside barrier in a field of seven, and conceded the winner 4kg.

Island Dec was the stable’s 20^th winner of the season yesterday, and coincidentally she and Century Song were both purchased at the same yearling sale (2023 Inglis Classic) – and both have more than recouped their initial outlays.

Island Dec (by Kermadec) cost $30,000 and has earned nearly $160,000, whilst $45,000 buy Century Song (by Microphone) has recouped just over $110,000.

“We bought Century Song (Lot 192) earlier in the sale, and Dad was keen to get Island Dec as well,” Luke Price explained.

“She was the first lot (592) on the last day, and he bought her with the one bid.”

Island Dec posted her second Canterbury success yesterday when, at $8.50), she reeled off a strong finish to take the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) for four-year-olds and upwards.

Island Dec defeated the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott pair, $2.80 favorite Eton, who conceded too much start, and Conchiero ($12).

“Whilst she won at Canterbury in February last year, she had only start in spring,” Luke Price said.

“Because of knee issues, we had to take our time with her and get her right.

“She is sound now, and it was good to see her win again in town.

“Island Dec will now be given her chance to win a Saturday race in a few weeks.”

Three of the four-year-old mare’s victories have been on soft tracks, and Berry also has been aboard in all but one of her wins.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, JUNE 18, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS