Few gallopers come with a bloodline like City Of Lights, and her appearance in the Hawkesbury Crown presents an ideal opportunity to secure valuable black type.

A half-sister to Winx and sired by Deep Impact, her credentials make her one of the most well-bred mares in training.

“She has got a pedigree that is almost too good to be true,” Pride said.

“Does it get any better? By Deep Impact and a half-sister to Winx, it’s ridiculous. You look at it and go, ‘that horse doesn’t belong in my stable’.”

Despite his modesty, Pride has built an elite training operation and is eager to guide City Of Lights to stakes success.

With four wins from 12 starts and a solid second first-up behind Need Some Luck, she appears primed to run well stepping to 1300m this weekend.

“She’s a horse that is hard to look at and not have in your mind that she is Winx’s sister. It’s something special,” Pride said.

“She is a good mare in her own right and if she can get the job done Saturday it will be a massive box ticked for her stud career as well.

“She should get a bit of a soft track which will help her and I have been very happy with her.

“It’s her best chance yet to get a stakes win or placing and that is so important.”

Pride’s assault on the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) includes the consistent Dragonstone, lightly raced In Flight, and the resuming Testator Silens.

Dragonstone is proven at this level, Testator Silens may need the run, and In Flight looms as a danger on a wet track.

“One hundred per cent, that is key for her,” Pride said of In Flight.

“I really like this mare. I think she’s a little ripper.

“I’m convinced the best race she wins will be on a bog track somewhere so it might be Saturday.”