Time is running out for Sydney Cup entry The Patriot to confirm his credentials for a start in next month’s staying feature.
“I threw him in the nominations as a precaution to see if he can take the next step,” trainer Luke Price said.
The Patriot is among a handful of restricted class stayers hoping to press their claims for a Sydney Cup start in the Jirsch Sutherland Handicap (2400m) on the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday.
Price is hoping The Patriot can reproduce a recent Saturday-class run to figure and set up a run at a Cup start.
“He ran third to Lamasery at Rosehill and it was the best run of his life,” Price said.
“I nominated him for the Sydney Cup after that and although he was beaten out of a place at Canterbury next time I wasn’t disappointed.
“The speed was very muddling and he couldn’t do much more from where he was.”
Price sees Wednesday’s race being run at a genuine tempo with the Chris Waller-trained Warringah engaged.
“The speed will be on which will suit my horse,” he said.
“If he runs well then we’ll go to the (NE) Manion Cup.”
At $101 for the Sydney Cup, the Goulburn-trained Halfwaytolondon is the most fancied of Wednesday’s runners entered for the 3200m feature.
Halfwaytolondon is an old-fashioned dyed-in-the-wool stayer who rallied best to win over 2800m under lights at Canterbury last start.
He shares the second line of favouritism for Wednesday’s race at $5 behind The Warrior Woman ($4.60) with The Patriot at $15.
Joining The Patriot and Halfwaytolondon on a possible Sydney Cup trail are the Joe Pride stablemates Power To Surprise and Mr Ponzi, Guderian and the third emergency Cyber Crime.
Hopes are high in the Price camp for a family double with Blurred Vision ready for a peak performance in the Northbridge Handicap (1550m).
Blurred Vision, trained by Price’s father Robert, has to overcome a wide draw, 11, but returns to fillies and mares grade after a Kensington placing on March 2.
Both Price family runners will be ridden by 1.5kg-claiming apprentice Josh Adams.
AAP TURF
