Mick Price will turn to the barrier blanket as he strives to bring out the best in Jacquinot for the Group 1 Blue Diamond.
The classy colt walked out of the barriers in Saturday’s Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) but still finished fifth, beaten a fraction over two lengths despite being held up on occasions in the home straight.
The son of Rubick remains favourite for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond (1200m) on Saturday week, but Price said he could not repeat Saturday’s antics and expect to win.
“You can’t be 100 metres away halfway through the race and expect to win a Blue Diamond,” the Cranbourne trainer said of the colt who was ridden by Damian Lane.
“I’m going to fiddle around with a barrier blanket because he was fiddling around with his backside on the back of the gates.
“He has not been a bad gate horse but if I do nothing I’m going to see that horse dawdle out of the gates, nothing surer.
“So, on Friday I might have a little practice in the practice gates here with a blanket on and Monday I’ve got to trial for one. A Monday (trial) into the following Saturday, the Blue Diamond, is doable.
“That’ll be basically his gallop so you may see him next Monday in a barrier blanket with D Lane on to have a little practice at getting him out.”
Speaking on RSN927’s The Verdict, Price also provided an update on I’m Thunderstruck, who kicked off his All-Star Mile campaign with a fifth placing in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m).
“He did need that run, he had a hot and sweaty day out there, and there’s more benefit to be going to the races and running on into the money rather than trying to (track) gallop a big, heavy horse,” Price said.
“I was happy. He ran on well and pulled up well.”
The Golden Eagle winner will now head to the $750,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) on February 26 before the $5 million All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington on March 19.