Mick Price isn’t quite sure of the Autumn campaign for Zoustar colt Space Rider, who missed a run in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic when first emergency and early favourite.
A 3.3 length winner on debut at Eagle Farm, Space Rider was then beaten at $1.14 with betting apps next time out, with Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, noting the reason for the disappointment.
“His first run was good. His second run, he pulled up a bit of tracheal mucus after the race,” Price said.
“He was the first emergency (for the Magic Millions), but based on how he went at Eagle Farm the next day, he wouldn’t have been too competitive, would he?”
A tilt at the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) is still on the table, but what race he might use to get there, Price isn’t sure.
“He’s going to be four or five weeks between runs, and I think we will have an entry for the Todman. Two weeks off the Slipper, the Todman, and I think it will be very strong, that race,” Price said.
“I think the better race for him is the Pago Pago, and if he wins that and they want to take a ticket into the Slipper, good. If not, we’ll go to the Sires.”
“I think he’s going to be a better 1,400-metre horse where we can travel, but not to deny anyone their chance of running in the Slipper.”
“Look at the Todman noms, make a decision, but it could be Pago Pago into the Sires.”
A factor that could influence the stable’s planning is the weather, noting that Space Rider won a trial in October on heavy ground.
“He’s a good-doing colt, he’s got a good brain on him, he’s easy to train. He’s a nice horse to train. He needs to be sharpened up. If we ran in the Pago Pago, and had a wet week, I would say we’d accept him in the Golden Slipper because he’s a good wet tracker,” Price said.
Price also updated on Capitalist colt Banknote Hustler, who ran sixth on debut in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m), with second-placed Beiwacht since coming out to win the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
“Banknote Hustler is going to get blinkers on and probably go to the Black Opal. We ran him in that Lonhro Plate over 1,000 metres and he wasn’t quite quick enough,” Price said.
“I think he’d be a better 1200 horse. He’d be very well suited in the Black Opal because he’ll take a better position.”
Space Rider is $101 for the 2025 Golden Slipper and a $26 chance for the Sires Produce Stakes.
