Mick Price will press on towards next month’s $2.5 million Group 1 T.J.Smith Stakes (1200m) with dual Group 1 winning mare Samaready.
Ninth of ten in Friday night’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m), Price said they will implement a change of riding tactics after the mare faded in the home straight after leading.
“When she won the Moir Stakes (1200m) she was ridden off the speed and swooped on them and maybe at this point of her career that’s how she needs to be ridden,” Price said.
“I’m not sure what to make exactly of her run, the fence was supposed to be off and maybe she was ridden too far forward.
“She pulled up well, looks well and is sound but she’s not Black Caviar.
“We’ll be positive with her and go to Sydney for the T.J. Smith and see what happens.”
The daughter of More Than Ready will be joined in the T.J. Smith by fellow dual Group 1 winning stable mate Lankan Rupee.
Following back-to-back wins in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) and Newmarket Handicap (1200m), Price said the gelding has thrived after a brief seven day stint in the paddock.
“He had about seven days out and put on nine kilos which is pretty good and gives me plenty of horse to work with heading towards the T.J. Smith,” he said.
“We’ll aim him towards a trial at Randwick on the course proper on Friday the 4th of April.
“We’ll also gallop him in the reverse direction to get ready for the race.”
Lankan Rupee has firmed into $3.50 favouritism in T.J. Smith betting with TAB fixed odds following the announcement this morning that Team Hawkes three-year-old Not Listenin’tome has contracted a virus and won’t race again until the Spring.
– Racing Victoria
