Joe Pride says it will be “handlebars down” when Cinderella Days bids to rebound from a first-up defeat in Saturday’s Group 2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill.
The mare took a trail when fourth to Parisal in the Toy Show Quality (1100m) and while she was only beaten 2-1/2 lengths, Pride felt she didn’t appreciate racing inside other horses.
With that in mind, he wants to see Sam Clipperton give her plenty of galloping room this weekend and from barrier two, that is likely to mean taking on the speedy I Am Me.
“Handlebars down, we’ll just go quickly,” Pride said.
“There are two different Cinderella Days, the one that gets out in clear air and has her ears pricked and gallops for fun, and the one that gets caught back on the inside and is a different horse, she just doesn’t like it.
“She’s a monster of a filly and I don’t think she likes being cluttered up.”
Touted as a potential Everest candidate, I Am Me will be having her first start since taking out a dramatic Missile Stakes in which several rivals were taken out of play when Big Parade broke down behind her.
Johann Gerard-Dubord, racing manager for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in Sydney, said I Am Me had continued to thrive and was in top shape for Saturday.
“It wasn’t the ideal way to win but she has come back very well,” Gerard-Dubord said.
“She has come through it well and she will improve off the back of that first-up run.
“She’s drawn a bit awkwardly (barrier seven) on Saturday, but we couldn’t be happier with her.”
Cinderella Days will be one of two mares competing for Pride on Saturday along with Argentia in the Theo Marks Stakes (1300m).
She has shaped well in two runs for the stable, the most recent when second to Buenos Noches in the Show County Quality (1200m) and will have a fitness edge over many of Saturday’s rivals.
“They’ve all been important runs, but this will be the fittest I’ve taken her to the races and her best opportunity so far,” Pride said.
“When I looked at the race, I noticed most of the speed was outside of her, I think we can cross most of the ones inside of us and get a decent spot up on speed.”