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Professional Ayrton on song for Gunsynd

3 minute read

Price confident Ayrton has come on since Fred Best defeat.

AYRTON.
AYRTON. Picture: Racing Photos

Mick Price says punters can expect to see a more professional version of Ayrton in Saturday's Group 3 Gunsynd Classic, as the three-year-old continues to show signs of taking benefit from his first trip away.

Stradbroke plans for Ayrton ended when he was downed by Apache Chase in the Fred Best Classic, which meant Price was able to plan for his first start at 1600m this Saturday.

"The whole purpose of this trip is to get him more professional and less anxious about the different things you have to cope with as a racehorse," Price said.

"I think there will be a little bit of tempo in that race with (Ellsberg) in there. I would like to see him in amongst them, do what he has to do professionally, peel off and go bang.

"Jamie Kah said he was floating (in the Fred Best) and it looked to me like he was floating too. I'm hoping that doesn't happen again. I'm hoping he switches on a bit and I think he will."

Price, who co-trains with Mick Kent Junior, worked Ayrton solo at Eagle Farm on Tuesday morning, something he has been reluctant to do previously.

"I wouldn't work him on the outside of the course proper by himself because he's too big and green and raw, but I thought I would give him a little test," Price said.

"He worked by himself and I thought he worked very professionally. We asked him to improve up the straight. He did improve. He put his head down and he was good.

"When he did gallop with Odeum (before the Fred Best) he was quite bug-eyed before (Apache Chase) beat him.

"(Tuesday) morning he pulled up good, cool, I think he's improved."

The stable also has its Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Odeum  running in Saturday's Group 2 Dane Ripper as she prepares for the Tatt's Tiara in a fortnight.

Price has taken the Visors off and added a barrier blanket for Odeum's first run since she was down the track in the Coolmore Legacy at Randwick in April.

"She trialled with a barrier blanket. She was deep in the trial, worked really well and found the line really well," he said.

"She had a really solid blow, blew up over the back. (Tuesday) morning she didn't blow at all. I can't get her any fitter without running her

"I do think she will improve from this 1300m, but I reckon she will start to show up and then into the (Tiara) for her."


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