Caulfield trainer Mick Price says Teleplay has the right track conditions to give her an edge in the Group One Sangster Stakes at Morphettville.
The Morphettville track was rated in the slow range ahead of Saturday’s 1200m Robert Sangster Stakes for fillies and mares under weight-for-age conditions.
Price, who trains the mare in partnership with Mick Kent jr, says he cannot have the mare in better shape for her second Group One assignment.
The other time Teleplay raced at Group One level was when last behind Winx in the 2019 George Ryder Stakes at Rosehill which Price conceded was the wrong race for her.
“She’s going into this race more or less at her top and I’m happy with the wet track,” Price said.
“They either handle it, or they don’t, and she is one that does.
“I think on top of the ground she may not have been quick enough, but certainly with the rain it makes it a tougher race to which she is perfectly suited.
“She certainly gets the chance to run in the first three, if not win.”
Unable to use any of his regular jockeys because of coronavirus protocols requiring those crossing interstate borders to undergo two weeks isolation, Price and connections wanted a strong local rider to partner Teleplay.
They have opted for Shayne Cahill who won the race aboard Umaline in 2001.
“With the restrictions on jockeys it was always going to be difficult to find the right one,” Price said.
“His stats were good and (syndicator) Dean Watt was pretty keen to get him, a good local jockey, and I’m happy with that.”
Price has decided to keep Mystery Love in Melbourne after ringing rival connections on Thursday to see if any horses were likely to be scratched.
Mystery Love was first emergency in the Sangster Stakes and instead will run in the Ladbrokes Odds Boost Handicap (1200m) at Sandown with Damien Oliver aboard.
“We phoned just about everyone and they were all running,” Price said.
“Whilst not all of them have good wet track form, I can understand connections wanting to run in a Group One against fillies and mares.
“So we decided rather than send her over to stand in a box, she can go to Sandown instead.”
