Mick Price says Golden Crusader is not your typical European import.
Bred in France, Golden Crusader started his career in the UK and after five starts made his way to Australia and into the care of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr at Cranbourne.
Golden Crusader will attempt to follow a last start Sandown win on July 31 when he lines up in the Domsafe Handicap (2500m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Jamie Kah had the sit on Golden Crusader at Sandown when successful over 2400m, but with the rise in weight Price and Kent Jnr have elected for the 3kg claim of apprentice Tom Prebble.
Golden Crusader is a five-time winner on Australian soil from 18 starts and Price said the gelding was well acclimatised to Australian conditions.
“He’s not your typical European,” Price said.
“He’s more of an Australian type of gelding because he holds plenty of weight.
“He’s got good feet, good bone. Some of those Europeans like space between their runs and some, like him, are tough.
“I think it will work alright for him.”
Price said Golden Crusader can be a tough ride, as Kah found out when successful on the gelding at Sandown.
But Price said if Prebble can rate the gelding well, he will give a great sight.
“I think Tom Prebble has to get his ride right,” Price said.
“He’s not the easiest ride, but if he was left alone and allowed to roll at his speed, he’ll be fine.
“I think if he can find his own sectionals, rather than going too slow, that will work.
“If they go too slow in those staying races, a jockey gets itchy feet as there’s is pulling, and they take off, and then something comes around him and gets him going.
“If he can get the first part of the race right, he should be fine as the horse is very well and will be there to run very well.”
