Patience key for the Boss

THE scale of Mick Price’s potent Australian Guineas arsenal will depend on Mighty Boss’s powers of recovery.

Eighth to Brave Smash in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes, the chestnut could back up at Flemington on Saturday — but only if he shows no adverse effects from his Caulfield’s outing.

“He has got to have a good week,” Price said, referring to Mighty Boss.

Chasing his third Guineas victory after consecutive wins in 2008-09 with Light Fantastic and Heart Of Dreams, Price will saddle last-start winners Grunt and Holy Snow on Saturday. Grunt and Holy Snow worked over 1200m at Caulfield before Saturday’s races, impressing Price.

“They ran a strong time. It was good trackwork — they’ll be fine and take their place,” he said.

“They ran their last two [furlongs — 400m] in 22.7 and it was good work. I was happy with both of them because it was just a lovely gallop.

“Both come on. I’ve had no dramas with Grunt — I won’t have to do anything with Holy Snow. I’ll gallop on Tuesday morning as he’s three weeks between runs.”

Holy Snow won the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m), while Grunt is coming off a dogged win in the Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m).

If Mighty Boss fails to please Price, the Randwick Guineas is an option. Jockey Michael Walker signalled a more patient approach might be the key to Mighty Boss.

“Maybe it was second-up syndrome. It might be that he’s better ridden quiet and maybe we’ll ride him that way in the [Australian] Guineas,” he said.

Tony McEvoy is likely to start Bring Me Roses in the Guineas, hopeful she can become the fifth filly to down the colts and geldings. Mosheen (2012) is the most recent filly to upstage the males in the 1600m feature.