Trainer Joe Pride has decided not to extend Ball Of Muscle’s campaign to the Perth summer carnival with the last-start Flemington winner off to the spelling paddock.
Ball Of Muscle won the Listed Absolut Stakes (1000m) last Thursday at the Oaks meeting while his half brother Terravista did his Warwick Farm trainer proud with his second to Redzel in Saturday’s Group One Darley Classic.
Pride entered Ball Of Muscle and Tactical Advantage in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot on December 2 and also nominated New Tipperary for the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) a week later but none will make the trip.
“Ball Of Muscle and Terravista have gone to the paddock today (Monday),” Pride said.
“Ball Of Muscle is a bit tired and I will get Terravista ready for the Lightning Stakes early next year.
“New Tipperary will stay here and probably run at Rosehill on Saturday.”
New Tipperary is entered for the November Topaz (1900m) while Tactical Advantage is entered for an 1100m-benchmark race at the meeting.
Pride has still not decided whether Gamblestown runs at Rosehill on Saturday or heads to the Snake Gully Cup at Gundagai a day earlier.
“I’ve got Gamblestown in two races at Rosehill, both over 1400 metres and the Snake Gully Cup is there as well,” Pride said.
“I’ll weigh things up and make a decision in the next couple of days.”
Gamblestown has 61.5kg in the benchmark 80 race at Rosehill with entries for the open handicap, in which he is one of eight nominations, extended until Tuesday.
In contrast, the Snake Gully Cup received 34 entries with Gamblestown (81) the highest-rated.
While he winds down his spring team, Pride has welcomed Destiny’s Kiss back to his stable to be prepared for summer racing.
In a six-run preparation which ended with his win in the City Tattersalls Cup (2400m) on October 21, the nine-year-old also claimed another Listed race, the Wyong Gold Cup (2100m).
He is an amazing horse and one of a kind,” Pride said.
“He will be aimed at the Christmas Cup and Summer Cup and follow much the same program as last year.
