Son Of Emperor will have a new look when he is paid up as a late entry to join stablemate Jungle Magnate in Saturday’s SA Derby, with a number of gear changes likely.
Co-trainer Mick Price explained that Son Of Emperor will wear a one-eyed blinker and a bubble cheeker in Saturday’s G1 classic after a poor run in the traditional lead-up, the Chairman’s Stakes, when one of the favourites.
“I am going to run Son Of Emperor with Jason Holder and he will wear a one-eyed blinker right cup on,” said Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr.
“He hung badly for Jamie Kah the other day. He’s a colt and he’ll also wear a right bubble cheeker and he wore that this morning, and he went good, so he’ll take his place.”
After a convincing on-speed win at Caulfield, Son Of Emperor was again sent forward in the Chairman’s Stakes but was one of the first horses beaten before finishing second-last, some 21 lengths from the winner Jungle Magnate.
He was not among the nominations for the 2500-metre race, but Price confirmed a late entry would be paid by the deadline on Monday.
The Derby was always going to be the next race for Jungle Magnate after his Chairman’s triumph and Price said the son of Derby winner Tarzino has recovered from his victory after a few quiet days.
“He bounced back good – you could tell he felt the run, so he had a little freshen during the week then he worked good this morning,” Price said.
“I reckon when you take a horse to Adelaide you’ve got two runs. I don’t think you can take them three times in a preparation, so I’ve allowed for only two runs and that’s why we ran in the Mornington Guineas and then the mile race here.”
– racing.com
