Price and Kent Jnr will be well represented in Saturday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield, sending out three runners at varying stages of fitness.
Space Rider returns first-up after a solid spring campaign that culminated in an 11th-place finish in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
The son of Zoustar had earlier shown promise with wins at Eagle Farm and Moonee Valley, and connections believe the drop back in trip will suit.
Barrier 10 is the major concern for Space Rider, who will be ridden by Ethan Brown, but the long run to the first turn offers some relief.
“Space Rider is two-for-two first-up but the gate makes it tricky,” Kent Jnr told RSN.
“I think we’ll ride him to finish off because you’d hate to see him posted wide with no cover and fold with the idea of going to the Australian Guineas third-up.”
Space Rider is currently quoted at $26 for the Australian Guineas at Flemington on February 28.
Another stable runner, Job Done, is searching for black type success after finishing just behind stablemate Naifah two starts ago.
Naifah was subsequently scratched from the Listed Durbridge Stakes to contest this race instead.
“Naifah is a big, robust filly who is doing a wonderful job and is sixth-up,” Kent Jnr said.
“She was well out of her grade last time against the older mares and should have run second.
“We’re very happy with how she is training and she’ll flow forward.”
In the opening event, the stable saddles short-priced favourite Taken, who remains in Melbourne rather than heading to Sydney.
“He was favourite in Sydney as well but Caulfield looks a lovely race and there is always tiny risk of things going wrong with a trip interstate.
“He was well below par last time but we have given him a fresh-up and he trialled well last week at Sandown and came up on the outside of Tom Kitten.
“I think he is very well placed.”
Betting interest is strong around the Manfred Stakes, with markets available through major Australian wagering providers.
The post Rider to give them Space in Manfred Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.