TEAM PRICE TAKING ME ME TO HAWKESBURY FOR PMC QUALIFIER

BROCK Ryan travelled to the country last weekend to qualify an Albury-trained horse for the Country Championships Final.

Now his former “bosses”, leading Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Price, are calling on him to get them a qualifier for the $1m Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick a week later on April 11.

Kembla Grange-based Ryan ran second on Bon Holler to Albury trainer Donna Scott’s stablemate Villasaurus in last Saturday’s SDRA Country Championships Qualifier at Wagga, and will ride Team Price’s Me Me in Saturday’s third PMC Qualifier (1400m) at Hawkesbury.

The first two placegetters will join Octa De Lago, Oui Oui Oui, Buffalo and Oakfield Jupiter in the April 11 Final.

“Brock has an early booking at Randwick on Saturday, but will have plenty of time to get to Hawkesbury for the Qualifier, which will be the last race,” co-trainer Luke Price said today.

“He knows Me Me well, and rode her in her Maiden victory at home last November.

“While Me Me has won only the one race, she is very consistent and has been placed on six occasions.

“Obviously last year’s Final winner Matcha Latte is going to be the horse to beat on Saturday, but we’re hoping to qualify Me Me for the Final.”

One of the Showtime mare’s placings was in a Provincial Maiden Plate (1200m) at Kembla Grange in April last year when narrowly beaten by Oui Oui Oui, conceding her 0.5kg.

Team Price has won numerous home premierships and Illawarra Turf Club’s richest race (2021 The Gong with Count De Rupee), but a PMC Final has so far eluded the father and son.

“We won a Wyong Qualifier with Noble Joey in 2017 before he ran fifth in the Final, Liveinthefastlane ran third in the 2021 Final, and Victory Lane ran second to Ruby Flyer in a Qualifier at home two years ago, but was unplaced in the Final,” Luke Price said.

“At this stage, Me Me looks like being our only hope this year.”

Team Price withdrew Group 1 placegetter Our Gold Hope from the Group 2 Guy Walter Stakes (1400m) at Randwick last Saturday when she drew awkwardly.

“We decided to wait a week as we feel she is ready to fire first-up,” Luke Price said.

“She will resume in either the Group 3 Wenona Girl Quality (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday against her own sex, or Listed National Sprint (1400m) at Canberra the following day.”

The stable also is looking forward to the $250,000 Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) on Friday week with last Wednesday’s impressive Rosehill Gardens winner Aisle Two.

Adam Hyeronimus rode her then, and retains the mount.

“Aisle Two was fantastic, and has come through the race well,” Luke Price said.”

Team Price ran second with Our Gold Hope to Queen of Dragons in the 2024 Classic after she had finished third in the same 1500m event Aisle Two won last week.

Two extra nominations (Kembla Grange pair Audenzia and Gooloo Bucky) were received for Hawkesbury’s Qualifier (taking the number to 16) after entries were extended until 11am today.

Acceptances are due by 9am on Thursday for the race, which is for eligible provincial-trained horses only.

Newcastle Jockey Club received 21 entries for Friday’s $250,000 Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m).

Dual The Hunter winner Coal Crusher (2024 and 2025) shares 60.5kg topweight with Melbourne Group 1 winner Globe (last year’s 2000m Caulfield Stakes, 2000m).

Whilst Coal Crusher is coming off a ninth to King Of Rouseau in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick last Saturday, Globe won a 1030m trial at Rosehill on February 23, with Dylan Gibbons aboard, in readiness for a resumption.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 3, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS