Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr have crack at Group 1 William Reid Stakes with Reserve Bank
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr have decided the time has arrived to test talented colt Reserve Bank at Group 1 level in Saturday’s William Reid Stakes at The Valley.
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Having a crack at a tough task has long been the Australian way.
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr will do just that with promising colt Reserve Bank in Saturday’s $1m William Reid Stakes at The Valley.
Reserve Bank will have his first shot at the highest level in only his sixth start but Price was happy to test the three-year-old at weight-for-age.
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The John O’Shea-trained Foxwedge was the last three-year-old colt to win the William Reid Stakes in 2012 but was with 11 starts under his belt.
Price said niggling issues as a younger horse were the reason for Reserve Bank’s lack of racing deep into his three-year-old season but the son of Capitalist had plenty of ability.
“He was an immature horse with his knees in the early days so we had to look after him.
“He’s got a bit of size about him so he’s taken a while to grow into his frame.”
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Price said Reserve Bank’s effort when second to talented stablemate First Settler in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes was an indication of the sprinter’s quality.
“I thought we’d have a crack at a Group 1,” Price said.
“He’s a lovely, sound colt and I think he’ll run well.
“If you go on his Danehill run with First Settler, who is pretty smart, then you’re entitled to have a dip at this race.”
Bookmakers rated Reserve Bank as a $26 outside in William Reid Stakes betting.
However, Price said Reserve Bank’s gallop at The Valley on Tuesday morning provided reason for optimism in his charge’s chances.
“He has to go there on Saturday and do it but he’s a nice horse and he seemed to whiz around Moonee Valley all right,” Price said.
“The 1200m will be fine for him so I think he’s worth a try.
“I think he’ll be sitting off the speed I think, he’s not really a leader.”
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The William Reid Stakes will be Reserve Bank’s second run this time in after the chestnut did a few things wrong when sixth in the $1m Inglis Sprint at Flemington on March 1.
Price said Reserve Bank was likely to head to Sydney for the $1m Arrowfield Sprint for three-year-olds at Randwick during The Championships.
He said Adelaide or Brisbane trips could follow his Sydney autumn assignments.
“He’s a colt and there’s a bit at stake,” Price said.
“He’s got a whole prep in front of him. He’s a big, strong horse.
“Adelaide is too far down the track for him at this stage but he’ll go to Sydney.
“If he has to come back to Adelaide, he can come back to Adelaide or we could always keep going to Brisbane.”
Jockey Luke Currie will stick with Reserve Bank in the William Reid Stakes.
Originally published as Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr have crack at Group 1 William Reid Stakes with Reserve Bank
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