The Ramornie Handicap is not on the winter radar for See The World despite his immediate target being a race which earns the winner automatic entry into the famous country sprint.
While his name conjures images of wanderlust, See The World is a homebody who doesn’t cope well with trips away.
As a result, trainer Joe Pride says the Grafton race is not an option for gelding, even if he is successful in Saturday’s Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick for which the winner is given exemption from any Ramornie Handicap ballot.
“He doesn’t travel. You put him on a float and he loses weight,” Pride said.
“Randwick is about as far as he goes.
“I will keep him here for races like the Civic Stakes and the Winter Stakes. There are a few options here in Sydney.”
An eight-time winner, the only two times See The World has travelled interstate to race he has finished among the also-rans.
A return to Randwick and the likelihood of rain-affected ground have Pride optimistic See The World can bounce back from his most recent performance when he finished among the tailenders in Group Three company in Brisbane.
“It’s the perfect race for him and he will be very hard to beat.”
Pride will also saddle up Earnest Ernest in the same race.
With four victories from 29 starts he isn’t a prolific winner and Pride is the first to admit the seven-year-old is heavily reliant on luck.
“There’s a bit of Stephen Bradbury about him,” Pride said.
“Sometimes it all just seems to happen in front of him and then he gets up and wins.”
Pride will also have two starters in the TAB.com.au Handicap (1200m) in My Sabeel and former Victorian Classic Elle.
Stakes placed as a three-year-old, Classic Elle’s form tapered off last campaign and she was recently sold at the National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast.
Now owned by Gilgai Farm’s Rick Jamieson, the breeder of Black Caviar, Classic Elle will have her first start for Pride on Saturday.
The mare was stretched to middle distances last campaign but Pride plans to keep her to shorter races.
“She had a quiet trial at Hawkesbury on Monday but I have been very happy with her,” Pride said.
“She was tried over ground last time in and I am assuming she is more of a sprinting mare.”
