Timing critical for 2025 Caulfield Guineas pair

The powerful Chris Waller yard may hold the top two favourites for Saturday’s Caulfield Guineas, but co-trainer Mick Price is confident his stable’s pair can give them a real shake.

Waller’s duo, Autumn Boy ($3.50) and Wodeton ($4), lead the market, but Price and co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr have their own promising contenders in Space Rider ($34) and Planet Red ($18) — and Price knows better than most that the Guineas can produce upsets.

“Mighty Boss came here and was $101, so it can be that type of race,” Price said, recalling his 2017 triumph in the Caulfield classic. “You’ve got to have your horse peaking at the right time, and I think both of mine are spot on.”

Space Rider and Planet Red have each enjoyed consistent campaigns, both coming through the Guineas Prelude (1400m) at Caulfield on September 20. Planet Red finished third, while Space Rider wasn’t far away in fourth after recovering from a disappointing Valley run earlier in the prep.

“If you give Planet Red an each-way chance, then Space Rider deserves the same,” Price said. “They worked together on Saturday, and I thought they were perfect. Planet Red is the straightforward gelding — they tend to hold their form — while colts like Space Rider can get a bit distracted, but he’s going well.”

Planet Red, a son of Japanese star Admire Mars, is bred to excel at the mile. Price said the gelding has matured beautifully across his prep and is thriving heading into his biggest test yet.

“When I had him earlier, I thought he was a bit immature, so I held off stepping him up to the mile,” Price said. “The past two weeks have been perfect — he’s blooming. It’s job done now; it’s up to them.”

Price said the Caulfield Guineas often comes down to precise timing, something he believes he has nailed this campaign. “You have to have your horse spot on for the day,” he said. “It’s all about timing, and I’m very happy with where both horses are.”

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