Photo: Dan Costello
Queensland trainer Shannon Price wants to win the $NZ1mil The Race By Grins not just be an excited part of it.
Not perturbed by a wide draw, Price is growing in confidence her stable star can upstage a hot field and go two spots better than his terrific recent third in the Miracle Mile at Menangle.
“Everything has gone well with his first big trip away and settling in at Barry’s (Purdon) place,” Price said. “We just wanted to see how he went in his final fast workout, which he had this morning, and he was terrific.
“It was exactly the sort of work you’d want from him at home when you adjust it to Barry’s track.
“The best part was, he pulled-up hardly blowing at all which tells he’s really fit.
“Sure, we’d love to have drawn in a bit closer, but I think it adds to the race.
“While I leave the driving instructions to Adam (Sanderson), he knows we’ll want to be positive and race forward. That’s how this fella likes it.”
Speak The Truth showed glimpses through his hometown Brisbane Inter Dominion series late last year, but has clearly come back better and more mature after a break.
“He’s gone to a new level, no doubt,” Price said.
“We knew he wasn’t quite ready for that Inter Dominion, but gave it a shot because it was at home. I’m glad we did, it’s been great for his development.”
Speak The Truth, who boasts 16 wins from just 29 starts, made his biggest statement so far when he sat parked and was too strong in a 1min48.8sec mile in the Cordina Sprint – a Miracle Mile qualifier – at Menangle on March 2.
He then led the Miracle Mile a week later and fought on well for third, beaten just 5.6m by Leap To Fame with Kiwi pacer Sooner The Bettor third after a cosy pegs run.
“We can beat most of them, just not Leap To Fame so we’re glad he’s not here,” Price said.
“It’s really exciting to be part of it. It feels right now with so much media interest, here (NZ) and back in Australia. I really think he’s good enough to win.”
Price, like many others, is fascinated about how the first 200-300m will play out.
“Don’t Stop Dreaming has the right draw, but doesn’t he have enough speed to find the lead. Then, if he does, would he take a sit?” she said.
“What about Merlin? He can fly out. Might he lead? It’s got the makings of a great race.”
Price confirmed plans for Speak The Truth to remain in NZ for the Group One double – Taylor Mile and Messenger – in the weeks after the Grins.
“We locked that in before we came across,” she said. “Providing he comes through this race well, we’ll be sticking around.
“And, as I’ve said before, we’re seriously looking at coming back (to NZ) to have a crack at the NZ Cup in November, too.” – Adam Hamilton
