Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are carefully weighing up a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) for Golden Path.
Should they lock in the spring staying showpiece, Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) shapes as the logical progression toward the 2400m feature on October 18.
“It is still to be confirmed but he’ll have a nomination in the Turnbull,” Kent Jnr said.
“We’ve had some lengthy discussions with the ownership group, and we might have a throw at the Caulfield Cup.
“If we are going that way, and I think we are, then the Turnbull is the likely lead in.”
Golden Path has stepped out three times this prep: third first-up over 1600m at Caulfield on August 16, a tough win under 61kg at Flemington over 1700m on September 13, then a narrow third—less than half-a-length—in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) seven days later.
Connections regarded that Underwood effort as a new personal best.
“Our opinion is he’s probably a couple of lengths shy of the best horses in these weight-for-age races over 2000 (metres) and his chance of winning a big race is in a handicap like the Caulfield Cup,” Kent Jnr said.
“We think he’s in the race, which is a start, he’s got 54-½ kilos, so he’s in with a reasonable weight.
“My personal gut feel is that he’ll enjoy 2400 (metres). It’s a bit of a gamble as he’s never been past 2000 metres, but I think it’s the right time to take that gamble.
“It’s a $5 million punt and the way he can sustain a gallop over 2000 (metres), I’d be hopeful he would enjoy 2400 (metres).
“He’s got a great racing style that suits Caulfield and he’s a horse in really good form.
“We may not get the same opportunity next year.”
With another run required before the Cup, the Turnbull is the preferred path. The alternative Group 1 Might And Power Stakes (2000m) on October 11 was canvassed, but the team is reluctant to back up twice within a week.
The stable says Golden Path has progressed with maturity but is still measured against elite company.
“The winter in Sydney last year was when he found his best form,” Kent Jnr said.
“The autumn in Sydney this year, we were forced into those better Group 1’s and he was three-to-five lengths short of them, and we were running against the country’s best horses, and he wasn’t up to them at those distances.
“It was nice to get him back winning in a handicap at Flemington.
“I think he ran well to show us he’s in career best form and it makes a lot of sense in my opinion to have a go at the Caulfield Cup under handicap conditions.
“It’s not an easy race but I think he’s the right horse and the market will tell you that he’s somewhere in the race.”
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