Training pair Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr have a triple attack on the Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday with each runner at differing stages of their campaign.
Space Rider was dominant on debut as a two-year-old at Eagle Farm in December 2024 but was only able to capitalise on another win at Moonee Valley in August.
Three runs in springtime rounded out with an 11th placing in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) after which jockey Beau Mertens said at that stage that the son of Zoustar might better suited at 1400-metres.
First-up over 1200-metres in the Manfred, the upside for the $7.50 chance is the engagement of Ethan Brown in the saddle while the negative would be barrier 10 despite the long 800m run to Caulfield’s home turn.
“Space Rider is two-for-two first-up but the gate makes it tricky,” Kent Jnr told RSN.
“I think we’ll ride him to finish off because you’d hate to see him posted wide with no cover and fold with the idea of going to the Australian Guineas third-up.”
Space Rider is rated a $26 chance for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington on February 28.
Kent Jnr said the stable were hoping to achieve a black type win for three-year-old gelding Job Done at his fourth run this campaign before a break.
Two starts back Job Done beat $12 stablemate Naifah at Caulfield Heath with the latter scratched from the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville in favour of this assignment closer to home.
“Naifah is a big, robust filly who is doing a wonderful job and is sixth-up,” he said.
“She was well out of her grade last time against the older mares and should have run second.
“We’re very happy with how she is training and she’ll flow forward.”
In the opening race, A Caulfield Kind Of Summer Handicap (1700m), the stable has $2.30 favourite Taken heading to Caulfield in favour of racing in Sydney.
“He was favourite in Sydney as well but Caulfield looks a lovely race and there is always tiny risk of things going wrong with a trip interstate.
“He was well below par last time but we have given him a fresh-up and he trialled well last week at Sandown and came up on the outside of Tom Kitten.
“I think he is very well placed.”
