Caulfield Guineas runner-up Planet Red is scheduled for his comeback appearance in a Stakes contest at Caulfield.
The upcoming Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) on Saturday represents Planet Red’s only lead-up race prior to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) scheduled at Flemington on February 28.
The three-year-old trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr last competed when finishing second behind Autumn Boy in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) back in October.
Mick Price, who is pursuing a fourth success in the Australian Guineas, acknowledged that Planet Red was fatigued by the close of his Caulfield Guineas preparation.
“He had five weeks off after the Caulfield Guineas,” Price said.
“When he went into the Caulfield Guineas, he only had a certain amount of energy left in him, but we got it to come together in the last two weeks before that race and he ran super.
“He had five weeks off, but I haven’t got enough horse to do the Space Rider prep.
“Space Rider is going to have three runs into the Australian Guineas, but I’m going to take a punt on Planet Red. He runs in the 1400 metres and then it is three weeks to the Guineas.
“He has improved a little bit as a gelding, but it’s a quick turnaround from the spring.”
Space Rider, eleventh in the Caulfield Guineas, began his current campaign victorious in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) held at Caulfield on January 26.
The horse is now targeting the customary Guineas prelude, the Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes (1400m), at Flemington in a week’s time.
Price enjoys a solid history in the Australian Guineas, securing victories with Light Fantastic in 2008, Heart Of Dreams in 2009, and Grunt in 2018, while Tarzino suffered a close loss to Palentino in 2016 ahead of a dismissed protest.
Price aims for his initial triumph alongside Kent Jnr in this prestigious event.
“The Australian Guineas has been good to me,” Price said.
“Planet Red will be pretty cherry ripe come the Australian Guineas and I think he’ll run well.”
Betting enthusiasts should explore the top Australian betting sites for the latest odds on Planet Red in the Autumn Stakes.
The post Caulfield return for Guineas hope first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
