The recent addition of Candlewick to the stable has given Joe Pride the reins to two of the better related mares in training.
By Pierro out of Pinocchio, Candlewick is a half-sister to 2020 Everest winner Classique Legend, while the Warwick Farm conditioner also prepares Winx’s younger sister City Of Lights.
While the latter has already secured a valuable stakes victory in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown, Pride is eager to give Candlewick the opportunity to earn black type of her own.
“That’s the plan for a mare like that,” Pride said.
“She is so well bred, a half-sister to Classique Legend, so that’s the next step for her to try to get to stakes grade.
“We want to try to knock off one of these Saturday races first and build up her benchmark and confidence. She is only lightly raced, and I’ve got good reason to expect the best is yet to come from her.”
Candlewick made her debut for the yard with a promising placing over 1100m at Randwick earlier this month.
She steps up to 1200m for Saturday’s Spelling at Coolmore Mt White Handicap and from barrier two, Pride expects her to be right in the finish.
“I thought her run was good first-up, they were just too sharp for her,” he said.
“She got into an awkward spot in between horses and back to mares grade, she will be very hard to beat on Saturday.”
Pride is also monitoring conditions closely for Cool Jakey, who may not line up in the Carrington Stakes (1400m) if Randwick firms up.
The gelding is far more effective on rain-affected going and while Pride is happy to back him up after the Magic Millions Cup (1400m), he wants conditions to suit.
“I think he will handle the back-up, but it’s more about getting him back on the right surface,” he said.
“He didn’t really do much the other day. He got a dry track and basically put up the white flag, so I’ve brought him home and he seems fine.
“He is usually very honest, very genuine, and he is always thereabouts.”
Those assessing the Carrington Stakes can compare current Australian betting sites ahead of Saturday’s Randwick meeting.
The post Candlewick ready to light up Randwick first appeared on Just Horse Racing.