Rider to give them Space in the 2026 Manfred Stakes
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will saddle three runners in Saturday’s Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Caulfield as the stable looks to make an early impression on the autumn carnival.
Space Rider headlines the trio, returning first-up after an inconsistent spring campaign that concluded with an 11th in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas.
The Zoustar gelding had earlier shown his ability with wins at Eagle Farm and Moonee Valley, and connections believe the drop back to 1200 metres is ideal.
Although drawn barrier 10, Space Rider will benefit from the long run to the first turn and has Ethan Brown engaged for the ride.
“Space Rider is two-for-two first-up but the gate makes it tricky,” Kent Jnr told RSN.
“I think we’ll ride him to finish off because you’d hate to see him posted wide with no cover and fold with the idea of going to the Australian Guineas third-up.”
The gelding remains a $26 chance for the Australian Guineas later this month.
Stablemate Job Done will also line up as the team looks to secure black type before spelling, having beaten Naifah two starts back.
Naifah was scratched from the Listed Durbridge Stakes to contest this race instead.
“Naifah is a big, robust filly who is doing a wonderful job and is sixth-up,” Kent Jnr said.
“She was well out of her grade last time against the older mares and should have run second.
“We’re very happy with how she is training and she’ll flow forward.”
The stable also sends out Taken in the opening Caulfield race, choosing to stay in Melbourne despite strong markets in Sydney.
“He was favourite in Sydney as well but Caulfield looks a lovely race and there is always tiny risk of things going wrong with a trip interstate.
“He was well below par last time but we have given him a fresh-up and he trialled well last week at Sandown and came up on the outside of Tom Kitten.
“I think he is very well placed.”
Punters can assess markets for the Manfred Stakes and supporting races through leading Australian betting sites.
The post Rider to give them Space in Manfred Stakes first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Chilly Girl races into Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 with Widden Stakes win
Chilly Girl showed her toughness and talent when leading all the way to claim the Widden Stakes at Rosehill, producing a performance full of grit. Despite being pressured early by favourite Miss Scandal, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained filly refused to yield and found plenty in the straight to hold...
Wrote To Arataki claims a second Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
Matthew Williams’ decision to reset Wrote To Arataki after a challenging spring was rewarded when the mare delivered a first-up Stakes success at Caulfield. The Warrnambool trainer celebrated as Wrote To Arataki secured her second Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m), adding another highlight to her consistent career. It was the mare’s...
Magnaspin finds winning form at Caulfield races
Magnaspin’s long-awaited return to the winner’s stall came at Caulfield on Saturday after a well-executed front-running ride from Jamie Melham. The gelding, trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin, led from early and showed plenty of determination to claim the A Caulfield Kind Of Summer Handicap (2000m). Melham took control...
Hidrix equal Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 favourite after a dominant debut
Chris Waller has unveiled another serious Golden Slipper contender after Hidrix produced a commanding debut performance at Rosehill. The colt stamped himself as a major player for the world’s richest two-year-old race as favourite Incognito failed to fire, finishing well down the order. Incognito’s jockey Tommy Berry reported the colt may have...
Blue Diamond Stakes 2026 beckons for unbeaten Big Sky
Big Sky has stamped himself as a leading Blue Diamond contender after a dominant performance at Caulfield for the Mick Price and Michael Kent stable. The colt now sits atop markets for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes following his commanding win in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes. Stablemate Guest House is...
Jolly pair to tackle delayed 2026 Durbridge Stakes
Trainer Richard Jolly says patience has paid off after his two runners avoided any setbacks following the postponement of last week’s Morphettville meeting. Klabel and Great Maximus will both contest the Listed Durbridge Stakes (1100m) on Saturday after the race was delayed due to extreme heat conditions. Jolly admitted the extra week...
Big Sky out to cement 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes credentials
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...
Griffith makes Compelling case for sprinter’s return in 2026 JRA Plate
Trainer Mack Griffith is confident his pair can outperform their odds when they line up at Randwick on Saturday. Compelling Truth is the outsider in the Group 3 JRA Plate, while Crown Legend will contest the Highway Handicap at similar prices. Despite being marked at $26, Compelling Truth has previously beaten high-class...
Fitter Samangu ready to pounce in 2026 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
After two runs back from a lengthy break, Grahame Begg believes Samangu is now ready to produce her best performance when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. The mare returned to racing in December after nine months off and initially struggled to find her rhythm. Begg expected...
Invincible Son out to take 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes step
Trainer Robbie Griffiths believes Invincible Son is set to take another step forward when he lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield. The colt finished third behind Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Unit Five on debut and now continues his path toward the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes. Griffiths...