Christian Reith has been given the nod to partner exciting sprinter Rain Affair in the All-Aged Stakes with trainer Joe Pride keeping one eye on the weather and the other on a possible rival.
“It’s one eye on the weather and one eye on Atlantic Jewel,” Pride said.
“I don’t normally worry about other horses but I think she’s worthy of worrying about.”
Atlantic Jewel returned with a brilliant win in the Sapphire Stakes and trainer Mark Kavanagh said the Group One All-Aged Stakes (1400m) or Group Two Emancipation Stakes (1600m) would be the filly’s next start.
Rain Affair, winner of 11 of his 14 starts, was just run down late when a close second to Master Of Design in the Group One TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) last start on a good track.
His regular partner Corey Brown is suspended for Saturday’s meeting which has paved the way for Reith to get the call-up.
Reith won a Canterbury race on the gelding in May last year after which Pride labelled Reith the “first reserve” should Brown be unavailable.
The trainer said he saw no reason not to give him the opportunity.
“I wouldn’t say I made a commitment to him then but he’s done nothing wrong in the interim,” Pride said.
“He’s ridden a lot for the stable. I had a lot of offers for people to ride the horse but I’m a loyal sort of guy and I’ll leave Christian on.”
Pride said he wanted a rain-affected track for Rain Affair on Saturday.
“I’m happy with him and would love the opportunity to run him on a bit wetter track on Saturday because I’ve still got the opportunity to take him to Brisbane,” Pride said.
“I think another run on a hard track might nearly see him out. I’d love the opportunity to run him on a wetter track and if I don’t get that it could actually sway me not to run him.”
Pride could also start Neeson in the All-Aged or he could line up in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) on the same program.
“I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Pride said.
“Again, it’s one eye on Atlantic Jewel.”
