Estadio Mestalla set for The Gong

After landing the $1 million The Hunter with Coal Crusher, Joe Pride is hoping the stable’s momentum can roll straight into another major provincial event, confirming Estadio Mestalla is set to contest next weekend’s The Gong (1600m).

The gelding finished strongly at Newcastle, surging along the outside late to grab sixth behind his barnmate, a performance that convinced Pride a quick back-up was ideal.

“Estadio Mestalla was super coming down the outside late,” Pride said.

“He’ll run in The Gong.

“He’s got a very good record on the back-up.”

Estadio Mestalla was also present at this meeting last year, though he missed gaining a start in The Gong and instead dominated a benchmark-88 mile race while carrying a hefty 62kg. It mirrors the preparation Coal Crusher followed before returning 12 months later to win The Hunter.

Pride noted the similarity with optimism.

“He missed out last year and he won the consolation with about 62 kilos,” he said.

“Which is what Coal Crusher did before he won The Hunter. He won the benchmark race on the same day.”

This preparation has already delivered strong signs from Estadio Mestalla, who resumed with a shock 1100m win at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day—a distance that had previously been beyond his comfort zone. Earlier this season he claimed the Listed Winter Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill.

The Pride stable has been in blistering form throughout November, with Ceolwulf winning the Group 1 Champions Mile and Coal Crusher backing up to win The Hunter.

Estadio Mestalla is one of 35 nominations for The Gong, where defending champion Gringotts and Maher-trained Duke De Sessa headline the opposition.

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