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Horse Racing News: Sydney Trainer Sends Promising Duo to Melbourne’s VRC Country Race Day
Sydney-based trainer Joe Pride is looking to capitalize on a trip to Melbourne, as he prepares to showcase two of his promising horses at the upcoming VRC Country Race Day at Flemington Racecourse.
The Black Cloud, a filly who has won three of her five starts to date, will contest the VRC Country Race Day Sprint (1100m) on Saturday. Stablemate King Of The Castle will also make the journey, lining up in The David Bourke (1600m) event.
Pride believes in the benefits of travelling his horses, as it can help them mature and adapt to different racing surfaces. In the case of The Black Cloud, the Flemington track, currently rated a Soft 5, is expected to provide a more favorable surface compared to the heavy ground at her last start at Randwick on June 8.
“She was very brave last start, but she probably wasn’t that well suited on the heavy track,” Pride said. “She’ll get a better surface down there, and she’ll be hard to beat.”
Jockey Jay Ford, who has ridden The Black Cloud in all five of her career starts, will continue his association with the filly in Melbourne.
Meanwhile, King Of The Castle, who was also nominated for the Listed Civic Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, will be ridden by Blake Shinn and has drawn barrier six. The longer 1600m trip at Flemington is expected to suit the horse well.
“Plus, it will help me separate them, and it should be a better track down there for him,” Pride added.
The VRC Country Race Day at Flemington promises an exciting day of racing, as Pride’s two promising horses look to make their mark in the competitive Melbourne circuit.
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