Pride adamant Coal Crusher won’t have egg on his face in 2025 Victory Stakes
Joe Pride has a colourful tale about why Coal Crusher failed to fire in Brisbane two years ago — and it involves a chicken.
The gelding’s trip to contest the BRC Sprint (1350m) was derailed by an unexpected encounter with a bird at Mick Lakey’s Deagon stable.
“He’s timid by nature, and there was this chicken at the stables that terrified him,” Pride said. “It spooked him badly. He couldn’t settle the entire trip.”
This weekend, Coal Crusher returns to Queensland to contest the Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm, where he’ll be housed well away from any rogue poultry.
The seven-year-old arrives in good shape after a close second in the Hall Mark Stakes, and is known to thrive late in his prep — as shown by his win in the 2023 The Hunter (1300m).
With Andrew Mallyon on board and barrier one in his favour, Coal Crusher will be ridden aggressively again.
“That’s his pattern. He’s tough and races on speed. There’s a bit of competition for the lead, but that suits him,” Pride said.
Rothfire tops the market and will be aiming for his second Victory Stakes win after saluting in 2022, joining an elite club that includes Swiss Ace and Buffering.
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