Steven Arnold will get a better guide on the spring prospects Caulfield Guineas-bound Prince Harada on Saturday but the jockey is already a fan of the colt.
Arnold has ridden Prince Harada in two impressive off-season wins and will be aboard again when the Tony Vasil-trained colt makes his Group race debut in the McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
Among the colt’s opposition will be Blue Diamond Stakes winner Miracles Of Life and the David Hayes-trained Fast `n’ Rocking.
“He’s obviously an exciting horse starting back,” Arnold said.
“It will be a good guide to see where he sits, there’s a couple of nice ones in it.”
Prince Harada is joint favourite with last Saturday’s Moonee Valley winner Cauthen for the Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
Arnold said while it was always hard to line up off-season form, he has been impressed by what Prince Harada has done.
“He’s going to be stepping up against the better ones now but he’s got a really nice action and has got immediate acceleration when you ride him so he’s impressed me with what he’s done,” Arnold said.
Miracles Of Life, unbeaten in four starts including a dominant Blue Diamond victory, is the $2.70 favourite with Prince Harada at $3.80 and Fast `n’ Rocking at $4.60.
Arnold expects Prince Harada to have to chase Miracles Of Life in the straight but is hoping he can power over the top of her.
“I wouldn’t say he can’t win,” Arnold said.
“He’s probably going to be behind her (Miracles Of Life) in the run but he’s given me the feel that I wouldn’t be surprised what he does.”
Peter Moody has two McNeil runners and has opted for gear changes with both Il Cavallo and Thermal Current.
Thermal Current, an easy maiden winner at Geelong last start, will have winkers removed and blinkers added.
Il Cavallo will race in a Norton bit and a tongue tie for the first time.
