Flemington assignment boosts Space Rider's Australian Guineas bid
At Flemington, Space Rider looks to strengthen his case for the Australian Guineas.
Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, the horse contests the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) this Saturday at Flemington, priming him for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) over the same course in two weeks' time.
The three-year-old hopes to secure a spot alongside Planet Red in the Australian Guineas, after his yard companion grabbed second place behind Observer in last Saturday's Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Rider Ethan Brown, who guided Observer to the win, reunites with Space Rider for Saturday following his mount on the colt's resuming triumph in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield back on January 24.
"It was a big win first-up. He sat three-wide, no cover," Kent Jnr said.
"He was there to be challenged but fought all of them off, but it's going to get harder from here on in, however Ethan Brown sticks.
"The colt of Chris Waller, Sixties, will be hard to beat. It looks to have come back really well, but our guy is a lovely big moving horse that is really going to love Flemington."
Space Rider has claimed all three of his successes first-up, but according to Kent Jnr, the roomier Flemington layout should favour the colt on this second-up assignment more than the snugger venues from past efforts.
The trainer was pleased with Planet Red's comeback performance at Caulfield seven days ago.
Having filled the runner-up berth in the Caulfield Guineas last spring—a contest where Space Rider ended up 11th—Planet Red closed strongly from off the pace with Jamie Kah in the saddle last weekend.
"If he had drawn a softer gate, he lands a pair or two closer and it might have been interesting," Kent Jnr said.
"He's going to thrive off that run and we're looking forward to the Australian Guineas."
Punters can explore online bookmakers for the best prices on the CS Hayes Stakes action.
The post Space Rider on Australian Guineas path first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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