Rich Enuff is sharp enough to handle a drop in distance as he pursues the Group One win his jockey thinks should already be on his record.
Michael Rodd was aboard when the Ken Keys-trained Rich Enuff was narrowly denied as favourite in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) last start.
He jumps on again as the colt tackles the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on Saturday.
He over-raced in the Guineas but Rodd’s opinion of the three-year-old did not diminish.
If anything it was enhanced.
“It was probably one of the best runs you’d ever see for a horse and not win a race,” Rodd said.
Rich Enuff travelled too keenly on the speed which left him vulnerable in the straight as the highly talented Shooting To Win chased him down.
“For what he had done in the run he should have probably finished closer to last than first. It was amazing,” Rodd said.
Rich Enuff won the Group Two Danehill Stakes in slick time earlier this spring over the same straight course at Flemington as the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Rodd gave Rich Enuff a workout on Tuesday and said he had freshened up well.
“Ken hasn’t done a great deal with him since the Guineas so we did a bit this morning,” Rodd said.
“He’s such a good horse, he’s so sharp still. His work was brilliant.
“It should not be a problem.
“I think he should be good enough to be right in the finish again.”
Woodside Park Stud has secured a 25 per cent share in Rich Enuff from Keys’ wife Louise, the colt’s breeder.
Rodd said a win on Saturday would mean much to all concerned.
“It would mean a lot to Ken and his family, and obviously to the stud that has bought into him too,” he said.
“But mainly for Kenny, he hasn’t had a Group One winner before.
“This horse will win a Group One, there’s no doubt about that, and hopefully it will be Saturday.”
The $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes has 19 nominations including Rubick, Earthquake, Brazen Beau, Scissor Kick and Kuro.
