Joe Pride is set to make a rare off-season raid on Melbourne this Saturday, with promising gelding Accredited nominated for the $150,000 Senet Gambling Law Experts Handicap (1400m) at Sandown.
The Warwick Farm-based trainer, more commonly associated with Group 1 raids in Melbourne, will saddle up his sixth Victorian starter this season—and first in a non-Black Type race—with the four-year-old aiming to capitalise on a strong return effort at Gosford.
Accredited was beaten just half a length when fifth in the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) earlier this month and heads south with confidence high in the camp.
“I take one or two down if we find the right race for them,” Pride said. “It’s not hard to do – it’s only 10 hours down the road – and the horses handle it pretty well.”
“He’s a nice horse. That run at Gosford was excellent, and he showed last preparation that 1400 metres is probably his best trip. I think he’ll be hard to beat.”
Pride’s runners in Melbourne have been limited in recent seasons, with notable success including Group 2 Gilgai Stakes winner Private Eye and The Black Cloud’s Flemington victory last season. Both, like Accredited, race in the Proven Thoroughbreds colours.
Depending on track conditions interstate, Pride says more trips south could be on the cards if the wet weather continues to hamper Sydney and Brisbane programs.
“There are options for him in three states, but he needs dry tracks so we’ll go where we need to,” he said. “If it’s wet in Sydney and Brisbane but dry down there, we might send him back again, but there’s no firm plan.”
Accredited is currently rated a $4.20 second favourite with Australian betting sites, behind Elouyou at $3.50. Jamie Melham takes the ride, with the gelding to carry 55kg in the Benchmark 100 feature.
