Trainer Mick Price confident Extreme Choice has Coolmore firepower

TWELVE months ago Mick Price was intent on ridding his back of the monkey that had dogged him in the Victoria Derby; this year the stakes are even higher.

Trainer Mick Price at the Victoria Derby barrier draw. Picture: AAP

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TWELVE months ago Mick Price was intent on ridding his back of the monkey that had dogged him in the Victoria Derby; this year the stakes are even higher.

Price’s chances of repeating Tarzino’s success in last year’s Derby took a nosedive yesterday when Rocketeer drew wide in barrier 19 in Saturday’s $1.5 million feature at Flemington, but it is Coolmore Stud Stakes combatant Extreme Choice that could deliver his owners an even bigger prize.

There is little doubt the star power in the Coolmore far outweighs the collective quality of this year’s Derby field and the winner will become one of the most valuable horses in the country.

Three years ago, the Coolmore stitched up a deal valuing Zoustar at about $20 million and he’s not considered in the same class as the top three picks this weekend, with Astern, Extreme Choice and Star Turn already rated superior by Timeform.

Craig Newitt rides Extreme Choice to victory in the Moir Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

Price is confident Extreme Choice has the firepower to get the better of the Sydney colts.

“Extreme Choice will definitely be hard to beat. I know him. He’s spot on,” Price said.

“The way he finished in the Blue Diamond, the way he finished in the Moir, that’s what can win him the race, the last 200m.

“I hope he does just to really stamp his future at stud.”

Price said he feels “an obligation” to the colt’s owners, in particular Newgate Farm, who paid a big lump of money to buy into the colt after his second and third wins.

Price is resigned to Extreme Choice most likely being at stud this time next year.

“If he was to win the Coolmore and some autumn races, then he will probably become too valuable to keep racing,” he said.

Price also has Flying Artie in the Coolmore and unlike Extreme Choice, he’s a chance to back up into the Darley Classic a week later if he runs well on Saturday.

“His win here was good. He got dragged out from the half mile. It was a messy race and we didn’t need to be getting dragged out first up from a six-month break that far out,” he said.

“He looked a bit green. He’s definitely improved from there.”

Price’s big fear is Golden Rose winner Astern, who suffered a shock defeat last time out, but seemed to adapt well in a Flemington jumpout last week.

“There’s probably not much between them,” Price said.

“I saw him tracking us in the trial and I thought ‘that’s not what I want to see’.

“I think the race will be won by the horse that lets down best in the last 200m.

“You have to have a lot of respect for Sydney. I don’t know why they aren’t even more dominant than they are. If you compare the quality of horses that come through Victorian and New South Wales studs, it’s a huge difference.

“We do all right for ourselves.”

Originally published as Trainer Mick Price confident Extreme Choice has Coolmore firepower