Mick Price admits flipping the script on Observer in the Australian Guineas from their prior bout won’t come straightforwardly.
Still, Price persists in his aim to notch a fourth Guineas victory in the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington Saturday.
“He’s a nice, uncomplicated gelding and he’ll show up, but everything will have to go right for us to turn it around on Observer,” Price said.
“My opinion is no I can’t (beat Observer) but that is not how we’re training him. My opinion is Observer is the clear good horse, and we are there to do our best.”
Price’s earlier Australian Guineas winners were Light Fantastic (2008), Heart Of Dreams (2009), and most lately Grunt in 2018.
Tarzino delivered a close second for him in 2016 to Palentino.
Planet Red, under the guidance of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, has encountered Observer thrice, leading on two outings.
Planet Red bested Observer on debut in a Pakenham maiden last May, with the Caulfield Guineas their subsequent duel, Planet Red placing second as Observer took third amid bad luck.
Observer progressed to victories in the Moonee Valley Vase and Group 1 Victoria Derby, returning for the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) success at Caulfield February 7, Planet Red powering home from last to second.
Receiving 2kg from Observer last time, Planet Red faces him squarely weighted Saturday.
“I’m not sure how we beat Observer,” Price said.
“We rode our horse cold first-up and I thought it was a very good run, a long-sustained run.
“He’s going well and hopefully he can take up a more forward position in the race.
“He’s had a good prep for the race, he’s sound, he’s got good condition on him, and I’ve got enough horse to go to Sydney for something afterwards, but I haven’t worked that out yet.”
Though Price hasn’t excluded pressing on to the Group 1 Randwick Guineas next Saturday week, he rates the chances slim.
He recollects Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Global Glamour completing a Group 1 double across states within seven days.
“Normally seven days after a Group 1 here and then a trip up to Sydney would be too close, but Gai did it one year from the Flight to the Thousand Guineas, so anything is possible,” Price said.
Discover competitive racing odds across various sports betting platforms ahead of the Australian Guineas.