Having spent the best part of 12 months racing in Sydney, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Golden Path has returned to Melbourne for a spring campaign.
That campaign kicks off in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday and if everything goes to plan it could lead to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 18.
But first Golden Path has to show the form to warrant heading in that direction.
Kent Jnr said Golden Path appreciated a change of routine when transferred to Sydney last year after commencing his campaign in Melbourne.
Golden Path raced through the winter months, registering a heavy track win at Rosehill, before limited runs during the spring and then only three during an autumn campaign.
“He thrived up in Sydney and he really thrived when he got up to 2000 metres,” Kent Jnr said.
“The programming said we had to kick him off in some Group 1’s last preparation, but he was three or four lengths off the pace every time.
“We could have taken him to the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m, on Saturday) as a kick-off, but we didn’t think he would be a genuine competitive chance, so we’ve opted to get him a bit fitter, and go to the mile with the claim.
“With 59 kilos, he’s quite forward, and I think he can run a bit of a race.”
Kent Jnr concedes barrier 13, is not ideal and had Golden Path drawn a softer gate then he would be considered a great each-way chance in a competitive race.
“The barrier disheartens us a little bit,” Kent Jnr said.
“We’ll ride him to try and hit the line. I don’t think he’s a horse you want to be cooking him first-up from the wide gate with the weight and then upset the campaign.
“I think he then heads to the Heatherlie (1700m at Caulfield) second-up and we can reassess things then, but I think he’s going really well.”
As a mature six-year-old with five wins from his 17 career starts, Kent Jnr said this campaign was possibly the time to step Golden Path up in trip.
The gelding is a two-time winner at 2000m, but is yet to race beyond that trip.
“He’s never been to 2400 (metres), but I don’t see why we shouldn’t give it a go,” Kent Jnr said.
“If he gets it, he’s got the class to be competitive, maybe even The Metropolitan (at Randwick) could suit, and we know he doesn’t mind a drop of rain and loves getting his toe in.”
