Golden Slipper still an option for Space Rider

Mick Price remains uncertain about the Autumn plans for Zoustar colt Space Rider, who was first emergency and early favourite but missed out on a run in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic.

Space Rider impressed with a 3.3 length win on debut at Eagle Farm but was then defeated at $1.14 with betting apps. Price, who trains alongside Michael Kent Jnr, explained the reason for the underwhelming performance.

“His first run was good. His second run, he pulled up a bit of tracheal mucus after the race,” Price said.

“He was the first emergency (for the Magic Millions), but based on how he went at Eagle Farm the next day, he wouldn’t have been too competitive, would he?”

While the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) remains an option, Price is still considering the best lead-up race for the colt.

“He’s going to be four or five weeks between runs, and I think we will have an entry for the Todman. Two weeks off the Slipper, the Todman, and I think it will be very strong, that race,” Price said.

“I think the better race for him is the Pago Pago, and if he wins that and they want to take a ticket into the Slipper, good. If not, we’ll go to the Sires.”

“I think he’s going to be a better 1,400-metre horse where we can travel, but not to deny anyone their chance of running in the Slipper.”

“Look at the Todman noms, make a decision, but it could be Pago Pago into the Sires.”

The weather could also play a key role in the stable’s decision, as Space Rider has previously won a trial on heavy ground.

“He’s a good-doing colt, he’s got a good brain on him, he’s easy to train. He’s a nice horse to train. He needs to be sharpened up. If we ran in the Pago Pago, and had a wet week, I would say we’d accept him in the Golden Slipper because he’s a good wet tracker,” Price said.

Price also provided an update on Capitalist colt Banknote Hustler, who finished sixth on debut in the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m), a race that saw second-place finisher Beiwacht go on to win the Group 2 Silver Slipper Stakes (1200m).

“Banknote Hustler is going to get blinkers on and probably go to the Black Opal. We ran him in that Lonhro Plate over 1,000 metres and he wasn’t quite quick enough,” Price said.

“I think he’d be a better 1200 horse. He’d be very well suited in the Black Opal because he’ll take a better position.”

Space Rider is currently listed at $101 for the 2025 Golden Slipper and $26 for the Sires Produce Stakes.