Dual Group One winner Sacred Choice will be given the chance to add to her impressive record with trainer Joe Pride confirming the mare will be prepared for a spring campaign.
The Doncaster Mile winner returned to Pride’s Warwick Farm stables during the week while comeback galloper Neeson has also started his build-up to a spring return.
Sacred Choice’s owner Glenn Fraser made the decision to give the mare another preparation with the option of the breeding barn there if she failed to come up for the spring but so far that seems unlikely.
“Sacred Choice came back in during the week and Neeson is already back in work, they are the big guns,” Pride said.
“Sacred Choice looks great, she looks in really good order and seems to have the same attitude which with mares is really important.”
Sacred Choice has won a Group One over 1600 metres in her past two preparations, while three preparations ago she ended her campaign with a Group Two victory in the Emancipation Stakes over the same distance.
Pride said defending the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day was the main goal for the mare.
“She’ll go for the Myer again and a tilt at some of the Sydney mile races – the Chelmsford Stakes, George Main Stakes, Epsom. Maybe not the Epsom because it’s a handicap,” he said.
Pride is more than happy to have Sacred Choice back in the stable.
“I just left the decision up to Glenn,” Pride said.
“I didn’t want to be responsible for a big decision like that and he made the decision to keep her going.
“He’s got her and (QTC CUP winner) Varenna Miss running around at the moment and is enjoying his racing.”
While Sacred Choice has proven to be at her best when she races at 1600 metres, Pride hasn’t shut the door on having a crack at the Cox Plate (2040m) as well.
“She’ll be nominated for it and I wouldn’t rule it out,” he said.
“I think it’s not going to be as strong as some years and that’s going to help us, but it’s not directly on the radar as such.”
Group-winning stablemate Neeson hasn’t raced since last year’s Group One Epsom Handicap and Pride can’t wait to get the gelding back up and running.
The Epsom will be his Sydney target.
“He’s been back about three weeks. He had some chips in his knee that we had taken out and he’s in good order.
“The Epsom (is his aim) and then maybe a tilt in Melbourne.
“The main thing is just to get him back in the winners’ circle.
“He’s big and strong and looks great. I’m looking forward to having him back racing.”
Neeson has won seven of his 17 starts including the Group Three Tramway Handicap (1400m) earlier this season and the Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) at Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) last season.
AAP TURF
