Coal Crusher can get Joe Pride’s weekend off to a perfect start if the seasoned campaigner can continue his affinity for the Newcastle circuit on one of the region’s major race days of the year.
The gelding will be on a six-day back-up from his unplaced run in the Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick when he contests Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m).
He has raced at the track six times for three wins and three placings, and while the distance is at the top of his preferred range, the dual The Hunter winner has been successful over the journey earlier in his career.
“The 1400 is the top of our range, but he’s won at it before,” Pride said.
“Now he is older and more sensible, he harnesses his energy a bit better and it’s the right time to give it another go.”
Pride will also have a strong hand at Randwick a day later with runners in four Group races, including the two majors – Attica lining up in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Headley Grange resuming in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
But his biggest representation will be in the Challenge Stakes (1000m) when he saddles up Mazu, In Flight and The Black Cloud, who are all on their way to the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 21.
“I wanted to give them all a run before the Galaxy, so we will probably take our place with all three,” Pride said.
“Any rain on the day would be good, and there is some predicted.”
With Giga Kick a solid $2.50 favourite, Pride’s trio were all at double-figure odds on Thursday with Mazu ($10) and The Black Cloud ($12) the most fancied, although it’s $21 chance In Flight who was Pride’s pick, with the caveat she needed a rain-affected track.
“She’s the widest one in the market, so go figure,” he said.
“All three horses are going well but I feel like she is the one about to emerge and really launch her career this winter. But she needs wet tracks. She is nowhere near as good on the dry.”
