AN HONEST PRICE NOT MAKING ANY PROMISES

MICK Price correctly identified Ayrton as a false favourite in the Stradbroke Handicap a fortnight ago and he has a word of warning for those looking to charge into his mare Annavisto in Saturday’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara.

The Victorian galloper has been favourite for the final Group 1 of the season since markets opened in April and bookmakers have seen enough to have her still at the top of betting as a $5 chance with TAB, despite not racing since her second placing in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf, back on April 9.

A typically honest Price said he couldn’t have Annavisto going any better than what she is at present, but has realistic expectations with her at Group 1 level.

“It is a typical Tatt’s Tiara. It is a very busy race but there is no clear speed on paper, so she will put herself up there,” he said.

“It will be won by a horse that has a really good turn of foot. She has a turn of foot, but if you have a really sharp mare you probably have the advantage there on top of the ground.

“They are probably going to break 1 minute 22 (seconds), so that part may stretch her. It’s going to be a slick track, and that is fair enough.

“You wouldn’t want to be taking anything under that price ($5) because in my opinion if she was to run a place, I would be satisfied.

“I don’t think she’s an overly strong winning chance but it is about her right price, it is an open race.”

Price, who trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jr, is yet to win a Group 1 in Queensland, and said he will put his faith in jockey Rachel King to land his first one in the Sunshine State from a tricky barrier 11.

“I think there is always a push in those big fields, 1400m at Eagle Farm, you don’t want to get caught wide and the inside horses tend to hold their ground,” he said.

“It will be a busy enough race, so I will leave it up to Rachel King as to how she rates that mare.

“We haven’t nursed her, but she has only ever had short, sharp preps because she is a nervous mare, high energy, so we have given her time to settle down a bit, which she is doing.

“I’d love to win a Group 1 with her because I can’t say I have seen clear Group 1 ability with her, even though she is Group 1 placed.”

Meanwhile, Price said he will again try to step Ayrton up in trip during the spring following his unlucky run in the Stradbroke Handicap.

“He is having a spell up there in Queensland and he will come back down and there are a lot of choices between Sydney and Melbourne,” Price said.

“I am convinced that somewhere between 1600m and 2000m is a good journey for him.”