Coal Crusher has the chance to kick off Joe Pride’s weekend in ideal fashion if the experienced gelding keeps up his love for the Newcastle track during one of the area’s key racing events of the season.
The gelding heads into Friday’s Group 3 Newcastle Stakes (1400m) on a six-day turnaround following his unplaced effort in the Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick.
He has competed at the venue six times, securing three victories and three minor placings, and although the trip stretches to his upper limit, the two-time The Hunter winner has triumphed over 1400m previously in his career.
“The 1400 is the top of our range, but he’s won at it before,” Pride said.
“Now he is older and more sensible, he harnesses his energy a bit better and it’s the right time to give it another go.”
Pride also boasts solid chances at Randwick on Saturday across four Group contests, featuring the highlights with Attica in the Randwick Guineas (1600m) and Headley Grange returning in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m).
However, his largest contingent comes in the Challenge Stakes (1000m), where he fields Mazu, In Flight and The Black Cloud, all building towards the Group 1 Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on March 21.
“I wanted to give them all a run before the Galaxy, so we will probably take our place with all three,” Pride said.
“Any rain on the day would be good, and there is some predicted.”
With Giga Kick the firm $2.50 favourite, Pride’s three runners sat at double-digit quotes on Thursday, led by Mazu at $10 and The Black Cloud at $12, though the $21 shot In Flight earned Pride’s nod, provided the track gets wet.
“She’s the widest one in the market, so go figure,” he said.
“All three horses are going well but I feel like she is the one about to emerge and really launch her career this winter. But she needs wet tracks. She is nowhere near as good on the dry.”
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