3 minute read
Mick Price says he’s done all he can to ensure exciting colt Profiteer is ready to surge into Golden Slipper favouritism at Randwick on Saturday and it’s now over the champion jockey Hugh Bowman to finish the job.
After Profiteer dominated last month's Inglis Millennium, racing away to a five length win, over 1100m many wondered if the youngster's electric speed could be harnessed to run out a strong 1200m against the best in the land.
Mick Price who co-trains the colt with Michael Kent Jr, doesn't think it is an issue and from barrier one is confident last year's Golden Slipper winning hoop can prove him right in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m).
"It's up to Hughie, he just has to rate him correctly and all we need to say after the race is the horse had every chance,'' Price said.
"And if that's the case win, lose or draw we'll be satisfied with the jockey's effort. With the right sectionals I'm very confident.
"I'm sure he will get it right, he's one of the best and I like him riding my horses. I hope we can win a Slipper together."
Punter's Intelligence sectional data highlights the importance of Profiteer keeping something in reserve for the finish - he ran the 1100m-1000m of the Millennium in 7.75 then the 1000m-800m in 10.32, 800m-600m in 10.70, 600m-400m in 11.29, 400m-200m in 11.62 and last 200m in 12.59.
The Todman winner will almost certainly be installed Golden Slipper favourite with Profiteer and Stay Inside sharing top spot with TAB at $4.50 and another unbeaten colt Remarque next best at $9.
Farnan claimed the Todman-Slipper double last year and Saturday's entrée is a race Price can't wait to see.
"There's nothing wrong with competition, I think it is great that it is a Slipper prelude,'' he said.
"It will be a great race and hopefully so will the Slipper."
Price rates Profiteer as superior in ability to his former star colts Extreme Choice, who won a Blue Diamond, and Flying Artie who was placed in a Diamond and a Slipper and won the Coolmore Stud Stakes at three.
Perhaps it was a small surprise that he announced soon after the colt's Millennium demolition that he'd focus solely on the Golden Slipper and forgo the Blue Diamond but Price doesn't doubt the decision was right for a second.
He said the son of Capitalist, who ironically beat both Flying Artie and Extreme Choice to win his Slipper in 2016, spent 10 days being just a horse after the Millennium and has come back refreshed – and with something left in the tank for March 20.
"I thought it was a stressy run for him in the Millennium and the 10 days he had with no saddle on has benefitted him no end,'' he said.
"I'm sure if he gets the right ride he is going to be a strong winning chance.
"I've tried to allow for the Todman to bring him on, it'll be four weeks between runs but he's not a gross horse. He's an athletic and energetic colt."
Jamie Innes Jnr had the chance to ride Profiteer for Price in his Tuesday morning gallop at Rosehill and Price described the work as 'superb'.
"He worked with one of Gerald Ryan's, the time was good, the gallop was good, the horse looks fantastic. Everything I wanted to see I did see so I'm happy."