Mick Price said he is not certain that his surprise Underwood Stakes placegetter Golden Path (NZ) (Belardo) will stay, but he feels compelled to give the horse the chance to run in next month’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Golden Path has never been beyond 2000 metres but on the back of his brave Underwood placing over 1800m, his Caulfield Cup price has continued to tumble – in from an opening quote of $101 down to $23 for the October 18 feature.
“I thought this race was worth a little try, but I’m not getting carried away,” Price said after the Underwood. “He may end up in a Caulfield Cup because it may be his only chance to win a decent race.
“I just said to the guys, ‘He’s not going to win a really good race against horses with a good turn of foot’. His only chance is if he does stay, then he is a live nomination for the Caulfield Cup and I can’t deny the opportunity to run in it.
“There’s not a better turn of foot than what we just saw, but he does not live in that territory. He’s not a weight-for-age horse.”
Price, who trains Golden Path in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, took some encouragement out of the run behind Sir Delius (Frankel) and Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) as he felt the horse did not quite measure up to the better weight-for-age gallopers in the autumn when tried in races like the G1 Verry Elleegant (1600m), where he was beaten just more than two lengths by Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock).
“He’s been placed correctly bar a couple of runs in Sydney where we had a crack at some nice horses,” Price said.
“Sometimes two lengths is a good two lengths and sometimes it’s a long way and I felt the two lengths he was beaten by some good horses was a very long way. Hence, we got him into some races where he could win.”
Golden Path is currently 27th in order for a Caulfield Cup, which has 18 starters, so he may not have to win his way in.
“I guess we have to find a way into the Caulfield Cup,” Price said. “The Turnbull is two weeks. I am not yet sure, but we’ll keep the dream alive.”
The Caulfield Cup has not been a great race for Price: “I have had one runner and it burst through the barriers last year. It was Warmonger (finished eighth). It has escaped me that race for some reason.”
