Thank the Lord.
That was co-trainer Mick Price’s initial reaction when asked if he was pleased Observer would not be lining up against Planet Red in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
While Planet Red, who is prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, lines up at Caulfield, Observer is chasing more Group 1 honours north of the border in Sydney in the Rosehill Guineas (2000m).
The Price and Kent Jnr-trained entrant has chased Observer home in both outings this campaign, finishing second in the Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and the Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington.
“With all due respect to that very good horse Observer, he was unlucky in the Caulfield Guineas, but we ran second and Planet Red’s two runs this time in have been dictated to by bad barriers,” Price said.
“First-up he was ridden cold and whooshed home very well and then in the Australian Guineas, it was the same thing.
“I couldn’t work out how to ride him and watching the race unfold, I think it was the right thing to do.
“It’s a different race on Saturday, different tempo, different barrier, and I think it will be change of tactics.
“In a 2000-metre race when they sit up there will be no need for him to be too far away.”
Price said Planet Red’s campaign may come to a conclusion after Saturday as he wants to see the gelding put some condition on his frame.
And Price is not convinced Planet Red is a true stayer, although he thinks the 2000m journey on Saturday won’t be an issue.
“He’s a strong horse, with a good brain, but while he’s a good size, he just doesn’t have the muscle on him that I would like to see,” Price said.
“He’s done the work to run 2000 metres, He’s fit, very sound and it’s a nice race for him, but I don’t think I will persevere too long this preparation because he’s a growing horse on a good frame.
“I don’t know if he’s a true staying horse, but he’s a nice miler, 2000-metre horse and I think he will come back as a nice four-year-old if we look after him.
“Hopefully he can go out on a winning note.”
