Preparing thoroughbreds is only part of the daily work schedule for South Coast trainer Robert Price. There is also the ground work, the maintenance, required to keep Turpentine Park to a level required to ensure the racehorses present are afforded the opportunity to thrive.
“I’ve just finished grooming the tracks and making sure the entry into the water hole is up to standard,” Price said.
“We spend just as much time keeping the tracks right as we do training the horses. We’ve got Canterbury racing tonight, Rosehill tomorrow, so we’ve got to have the tracks here ready for tomorrow morning’s work.”
Situated at Cambewarra Turpentine Park is owned by Price loyalists Bob and Jenny Dickerson while their son Sam is a player.
“Too right they are great supporters,” Price replied when asked about the Dickerson family.
Amongst the Dickerson’s racing stock is Tonk which resumes under lights in the Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap at Canterbury.
“He may need the run but will be competitive,” Price said.
“He is better on top of the ground but it is a good three at the moment and Canterbury is a good drying track.”
After a long night at Canterbury Price is set to return to Rosehill tomorrow for Ramsays Curse is set to start in the Pure Romance Handicap at Rosehill tomorrow.
“He is owned by the Noble brothers,” Price said.
“I was present at the Classic Sale when they bought him, they paid about $9,000 for him and they’ve had a bit of fun with the horse.”
Ramsays Curse has been to the races on 41 occasions and won eight times while there have been another 10 placings. The six-year-old gelding’s prizemoney hauls sits at $130,820 and Price is confident there is more to come.
After winning at Canberra the seven-year-old finished eighth at Randwick behind Snitsky before narrowly scoring at Goulburn last time out.
“It is a lovely race for him tomorrow but he is one of those horses who needs to be right on top of the ground,” Price said.
Price is worried about the rain which has hit town.
“Wet tracks have plagued his career,” Price said.
“You nominate him, accept and it seems to rain.
“I’ll be mindful of what the weather does this afternoon, we’ve got a back-up plan, the Goulburn Cup on Sunday week.
“But he is ready to go tomorrow.”
By Craig Young
