Dynamic trainer Mick Price doesn’t have a runner in the Melbourne Cup but hopes to make a significant impact at the Flemington carnival by book-ending Cup Week with Group 1 success.
Price has the in-form Moonovermanhattan poised to break the trainer’s jinx in the $1.5 million Victoria Derby (2500m) on Saturday.
Then champion sprinter Lankan Rupee will be the headline act in the sprint race of the year, the $1 million Darley Classic (1200m) on Emirates Day November 8.
Both scored major race wins for Mick Price at Moonee Valley with Moonovermanhattan’s tough win in the Vase coming the day after Lankan Rupee returned to winning form in a thrilling Manikato Stakes.
Mick Price said that the reigning Horse of the Year Lankan Rupee is not at his best around the tight Moonee Valley track and is looking forward to getting the sprinter back to Flemington.
“I’m really relieved (he won),’’ Price said of Lankan Rupee’s all-the-way Gr1 Manikato win.
“If we have him in good physical order and he produces what he did in the Newmarket, then he is the one to beat.’’
Price is also hoping for a change of luck in the Victoria Derby after training “second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth placegetters” in the three-year-old classic over the years.
Moonovermanhattan was impressive in the Vase but Price is unsure if the grey colt will run a strong 2500m in the Derby.
“That is the burning question as he is out of a sprinting mare but he is a lovely, big, clean-winded horse,’’ Price said.
“He hasn’t got the sectionals to be effective in a race like the Caulfield Guineas so that is why he needed to go to 2000m.
“He was good in the Vase, the race didn’t take a lot out of him, and if he had a good seven days he will front up in the Derby.’’
Price said he hopes Moonovermanhattan draws an inside barrier in the Victoria Derby.
“If he can draw a gate in the Derby and settle fourth or fifth with cover, he will relax good and we can do what we want with him in the race,’’ Price said.
“If would be nice to ride him this way and conserve him for the last bit.’’
Waterhouse’s record-breaking Spring Champion Stakes winner Hampton Court remains Derby favourite ahead of the Waller-trained Preferment at $4.20 with Moonovermanhattan now outright third favourite at $6.
Smerdon said all three fillies remain on target for the Group 1 $1 million Victoria Oaks (2500m) next week.
“We are going to stick with our plan to go to the Oaks with them,’’ Smerdon said.