Hasselhoof and Pride Of Dubai have had their reputations dented at the Randwick as the autumn carnival steps up a gear.
Unbeaten in his six New Zealand starts, Hasselhoof was sent out the $2.05 favourite in a 1600m race on Saturday but finished fourth, struggling in the soft surface.
Dual Group One winner Pride Of Dubai was having his first start since April 2015 and although punters were not as enthusiastic they still expected more from the $6.50 chance in the Eskimo Prince Stakes.
Trainer Donna Logan intends to keep Hasselhoof in Sydney for the Parramatta Cup in two weeks.
“(Jockey) Matt Cameron said he didn’t handle the ground which is a different kind of soft than we have at home,” Logan said.
“At the moment we intend to stay.”
Pride Of Dubai’s jockey Hugh Bowman said he did not want to blame the surface for the colt’s lacklustre second last.
“I don’t think the ground helped but I’m not using that as an excuse for his performance,” Bowman said.
“He should have done more than that.
“He had a good blow when he pulled up, which is no surprise.”
