Joe Pride has trained some handy sprinting mares, but he can’t recall putting the polish on one with a better physical presence than Cinderella Days.
The four-year-old resumes in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday after bursting onto the black-type scene in the autumn with a cheeky third behind Group 1 winners In Secret and Sunshine In Paris in the Light Fingers Stakes (1200m).
She showed that was no fluke with another solid performance in the Surround Stakes (1400m), finishing sixth, and after two encouraging barrier trials, Pride is keen to see the daughter of 2012 Coolmore Classic winner Ofcouseican back at the races.
“She has always been going to get better as she gets older like her mum did, her mum won a Group One as a five or six-year-old,” Pride said.
“She has come back a big beast of a filly.
“She is bigger and stronger than any filly I’ve ever had to be honest. I’d be flat out remembering a bigger, stronger mare I’ve trained than her.”
Pride has prepared his share of classy female sprinters including Group 1 performers Mariamia, Fasika and Regal Cheer.
He believes Cinderella Days has the scope to develop into “a serious Group sprinter” and is confident she can start her campaign on a strong note in Saturday’s feature, which is set to be run on a rain-affected track.
“She likes the wet tracks, so it won’t pose any problem and the draw (barrier one) looks good for her,” Pride said.
“It’s always a hard transition from three to four, but she just looks the perfect candidate to make that transition.
“Most of my horses get better with time and she’s exactly a case in point.”
Sam Clipperton has the ride on Cinderella Days, who is $7.50 in early markets which have Godolphin’s Parisal a narrow $3.70 unibet favourite ahead of Zougotcha at $3.90.
