The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained Jungle Magnate is on track for a return trip to Adelaide for the South Australian Derby.
Price said a gallop at Cranbourne on Saturday morning convinced the trainer Jungle Magnate had recovered from his trip to Adelaide last week and was on target to take his place in the Group 1 Derby (2500m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Jungle Magnate travelled to Adelaide last week to win the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (2000m) and Price said the gelding knew he had had a run.
“He’s bounced back good even though you could tell that he felt the run,” Price said.
“He had a little freshen during the week and he worked well on Saturday morning.
“I think when you take horses to Adelaide you get two runs out of them. You can go there-and-back twice in prep, but I don’t think you can go three times and I’ve only allowed two runs.
“That is why we ran in the Mornington Guineas and a mile race at Caulfield because I couldn’t take him over and back for an 1800-metre race and I have no luck leaving them there.”
Mark Zahra will take over from Damien Oliver on Saturday with Oliver committed to the James Cummings-trained Godolphin galloper Alegron, a last start winner of the Listed VRC St Leger at Flemington on Anzac Day.
The Price and Kent Jnr stable will also start Son Of Emperor who was not among entries when they closed on Thursday but will be a late nomination on Monday.
Price said Son Of Emperor will have a number of gear changes along with Jason Holder taking over from Jamie Kah on the three-year-old.
After leading, Son Of Emperor faded to finish 14th behind his stablemate in the Chairman’s Stakes.
“He’ll have a one-eyed blinker, right cup on, and a bubble-cheeker on as he hung badly with Jamie Kah on,” Price said.
“He put in a bad run and I’m hoping I can get him genuine. I might even pop him over some jumps.”
