Trainer Joe Pride desperate for improving Rosehill track for Winter Stakes top seed Accredited

Trainer Joe Pride is concerned about a heavy track for his Winter Stakes hope Accredited even though conditions are expected to improve throughout the week.

Accredited is unlikely to run in the Winter Stakes if the Rosehill track remains heavy. Picture: Getty Images

Trainer Joe Pride is cautiously optimistic Sydney’s stormy skies will subside in time for top seed Accredited to lead the stable’s assault of Saturday’s Listed $200,000 Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Pride could have as many as four runners in the feature event but the fate of his leading contender hinges on drying conditions in Sydney later this week.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

Consistent rain and damaging winds have lashed the NSW coast to start the week with Rosehill Gardens rated a Heavy 10 on Wednesday.

“We won’t run Accredited if it does stay heavy but if the rain stops we could get back on a soft,” Pride said.

“I would probably run on a soft. It was an optimistic acceptance to be honest, hoping the track would improve for him.

“The horse is going super. I couldn’t be happier with him and it’s a shame because he is definitely a horse that is better on top of the ground.

“I am not sure we will get that on Saturday.”

• Guineas bid nod and Winx to Tighe’s mighty mare

Accredited, a $4.80 second elect for the Winter Stakes, is a six-time winner on good tracks but scored his first victory on soft going last start when he bounced back to top form to salute over the Royal Randwick 1200m on a Soft 5.

In-form hoop Alysha Collett, fresh from a double last Saturday, has been booked to ride Accredited.

Accredited too strong in the last at Randwick!

Nash Rawiller goes home a winner and Joe Pride goes back to back to finish the day 💪@[e-mail]/DHXnwtWUr7

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) June 21, 2025

Stablemates Estadio Mestalla ($41) is already in the Winter Stakes field while Cool Jakey ($21) and Testator Silens ($41) would both need scratchings to get into the race as the third and fourth emergencies respectively.

Cool Jakey, a winner of four of his eight starts on heavy ground, relishes heavy conditions with Testator Silens also more than capable on rain affected going.

• Sistina’s a special but still plenty of intrigue for horse of year gongs

“Cool Jakey and Testator Silens are both wet trackers and even Estadio Mestalla isn’t too bad on it,” Pride said.

“Accredited is the worst of the horses on the ground but we have to see what the track dries out to.

“We’ve had less out west than in town but probably too much to dry out.”

Last year’s Group 2 The Ingham winner Robusto ($4.20) has opened favourite with the Bjorn Baker-trained galloper returning home after failing to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.

Baker also has Thunderlips ($5.50) on the seven-day back-up following his terrific victory at the same venue last weekend.

Originally published as Trainer Joe Pride desperate for improving Rosehill track for Winter Stakes top seed Accredited