Co-trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have diverted Golden Path from the Ipswich Cup, where he was a market contender, to a Sydney assignment this Saturday.

The six-year-old gelding is slated to run in the Listed WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill, with the aim of repeating his 2024 triumph in the feature event.

“It was too difficult from barrier 15 of 15 in the Ipswich Cup,” Kent Jnr stated.

Golden Path’s last victory was in September last year, in an open handicap at Flemington. Since then, across eight starts, he has achieved a third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield and a second in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley.

“His problem is that he’s earned himself a fairly high rating without winning anything gangbusters,” he added.

“That group one placing in the Underwood, he’s always going to get top weight in these winter handicaps so it does pose some problems because he hasn’t been able to take that next step.

The gelding was prominent at the top of the straight in the Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm on May 30, but faded to finish fifth.

“He had to do a lot of work in that race, and he still stuck on with it quite bravely so I think if you have a soft draw and a soft run in transit, then he’d go close.

“Though if he was giving weight to a smart, progressive young stayer then they might be hard to hold out.”

Those interested in the WJ McKell Cup can explore the racing betting markets through various betting sites.