Steel Prince at Geelong
STEEL Prince’s Melbourne Cup campaign is back on track after an impressive gallop at Mornington on Saturday morning convinced the Freedman camp he had “dodged a bullet" out of his Herbert Power Stakes mishap last week.
Already guaranteed a spot in the Cup after his Andrew Ramsden win over Surprise Baby, Steel Prince will use Wednesday's Geelong Cup as the next stepping stone towards the first Tuesday in November.
The six-year-old gelding was a late scratching from the Herbert Power Stakes on Caulfield Guineas day after he lashed out in the barriers, suffering cuts to his hock.
While the X-rays immediately cleared Steel Prince of any serious damage, Sam Freedman said it was Saturday's gallop which convinced the stable he was ready to show his best again. “Luckily enough, we have dodged a bullet, he has pulled up really well,” Freedman said.
"He had a really good gallop on the course proper at Mornington (on Saturday). He is as good as he was leading into his last run. He is all fine now."
Freedman said Steel Prince was ready to tackle the 2400m Geelong Cup as his third run for the campaign, and the last hitout before the Melbourne Cup.
“We think Geelong will suit him better than The Valley,” he said. “He will get a good strong hitout and that will do him the world of good. It is hard to know (how he will perform at Geelong). He will obviously improve out of it.
“But he is so honest and genuine. If he can relax and behave himself in the barriers, then he will run well.
“The owners are all good guys. They have now experienced the utmost highs of five wins in a row and the rocky rollercoaster (of the Herbert Power).”
Steel Prince is a $26 Melbourne Cup chance after a streak of five wins earlier this year showed he was a stayer of considerable promise.