The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr stable has a decision to make after the maiden victory of Perceptive at Sandown.
The three-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon took out the Ladbroke It! Plate (1300m) on Wednesday at her second career start.
Taken to the lead by Patrick Moloney, Perceptive ($9.50) held off a late rush from Tempest Charm ($8) to score by a nose with Savonia ($6.50) a half-length away third.
Price said he was loathe to put a filly that was in winning form out for a spell, but added he felt it would be of long-term benefit to the filly if he did.
“I hate to put them out on a winning note, especially when you think you can keep winning,” Price said.
“Ron Gilbert is a very good breeder and a good horseperson and I’m sure he will understand.”
Price said Perceptive was a cantankerous filly that has proven a handful around the stable.
He said a spell now may help Perceptive improve her manners and believes there will be a good win from the filly in time.
“She’s a lovely filly but she can only be ridden by two girls at home,” Price said.
“She’s a very cranky filly and spends quite a bit of time on her hind legs, so the girls do a great job.
“It wasn’t our intention to lead today, but P Moloney made his own decision there and I was thinking 1400 metres would be better for her.
“We’re still trying to make her at the moment, and I think she’s a really good specimen, a beautiful Written Tycoon filly and hopefully she’s just got to grow more of a brain.”
Price and Kent Jr recently made the shift from their Caulfield stable to Cranbourne and Perceptive was their third winner from the new set-up.