Two of a strong band of three-year-olds from the Mick Price yard will make their returns in the Group Three Manfred Stakes at Caulfield.
Prince Of Brooklyn and Ready For Victory line up against each other on Saturday in preparation for the Australian Guineas in which they will be joined by Victoria Derby-winning stablemate Tarzino who is scheduled to make his return in the C F Orr Stakes on February 13.
Prince Of Brooklyn hasn’t raced since finishing last in a 1400m-race at Flemington in September while Ready For Victory ran third in the Caulfield Guineas before finishing ninth in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on October 31.
The pair wound up their preparations for Saturday’s 1200m-race with a gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday.
Price said Prince Of Brooklyn had benefited from an extended break after a disappointing spring campaign.
“He was busy as a late two-year-old,” Price said.
“We took him to Adelaide and he won and then he had a trip away to Swan Hill and won.
“He had a short break to see if he would come up in the spring but I felt his form was below par.
“I think he’s benefited from a good break as his work and trials have been excellent, so we get to see what he’s like under proper class.”
Damien Oliver has the mount on Prince Of Brooklyn while Glen Boss rides Ready For Victory.
A son of More Than Ready, Ready For Victory has won only one of his eight starts but has three placings at Group level and ran fourth in last year’s Golden Slipper.
Boss rode the colt in the Caulfield Guineas and Price said Ready For Victory was a horse that responded to hard riding.
“He can be a little bit lazy,” Price said.
“Glen rode him well in the Guineas and seems to suit him.
“He’s in good condition and has trialled nicely and I think he’ll run a pretty forward race.”
Price said after Saturday the pair would progress to a 1400m race in the lead-up to the Australian Guineas.
Early TAB markets have Ready For Victory the more fancied of the pair at $7 with Prince Of Brooklyn at $10.
The Darren Weir-trained Palentino is the $4.80 favourite to win his first start since he claimed a 1400m-Listed win at Flemington in November.
