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Distance drop to suit Estadio Mestalla

Estadio Mestalla will be out to exact revenge on last start conqueror Cepheus when they clash again at the first Saturday meeting of the new season.

Estadio Mestalla.
Estadio Mestalla. Picture: Steve Hart

Cepheus and Estadio Mestalla finished one-two in the South Grafton Cup, but the trainer of the runner-up reckons his charge can turn the tables when the pair renew their rivalry at Rosehill.

Estadio Mestalla led the 1610m Grafton feature and was overhauled in the final bounds by defending titleholder Cepheus, who lumped eight kilos more.

There will be no change to the weight differential for their return bout in the NSW Jockeys Association Reunion Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday, but trainer Joe Pride is banking on the distance drop working in favour of his charge.

"He finally got on top of the ground the other day and nearly got the job done. He was beaten by a very good horse," Pride said.

"He meets that same horse on Saturday, but I feel like 1500 metres at Rosehill might just be advantage us.

"I'm very happy with him and the inside draw will help."

In an open betting race where six of the 13 runners are at single-figure odds, the rematch between Cepheus and Estadio Mestalla shapes as an intriguing sidebar.

Both horses have claims to being track and distance specialists, Cepheus racing over 1500m at Rosehill three times for two wins, highlighted by his Group 2 Shannon Stakes performance last spring.

Estadio Mestalla will be having his fifth start over the circuit where he has posted half of his four career victories and a minor placing.

Pride will also saddle up Testator Silens in the race and hasn't discounted that gelding from parlaying a series of consistent performances into an overdue win.

"He runs a lot of placings, but he is never far away," Pride said.

"He gets in with fifty kilos on his back, a good draw again (barrier five) and he will run a cheeky race."

Excelladus has been given a freshen-up for Saturday's Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap (1300m) where Pride wants to see an improved showing, while progressive pair Little Cointreau and Cosmonova are expected to race boldly in their respective assignments.

"They're both last start winners at the midweeks stepping out to Saturday grade," Pride said of the latter two.

"But they both look pretty well placed.

"They've got good draws and I couldn't see them being far away. They're both nice horses."


Racing and Sports



Rosehill Saturday, 03rd August 2024

7f100y TURF GOOD
AUD $160,000

NSW JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION REUNION HANDICAP

AUD $160,000
Age: 3yo and up Type: OPEN
7f100y TURF GOOD
FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 7. WILLIAMSBURG (AUS) 5yo G
SNITZEL (AUS) - FENWAY (AUS)
TYLER SCHILLER
G RYAN & S ALEXIOU
$7.5
56kg
TFI (Mgr: Miss S Williams), Miss S Williams, C J Lawlor, Mrs L C Lawlor, Mrs M E Wood, M H Wood, M L Mermen, Raphie (Mgr: Ms K L Avison) & Mrs G A Meredith

Sales Information

2nd 10. ESTADIO MESTALLA (IRE) 5yo G
GALILEO GOLD (GB) - SUPERIOR CHARM (USA)
JAY FORD
JOSEPH PRIDE
$4.8
54kg
NSW Tycoons (Mgr: S K Brown), Barraband Racing & Breeding (Mgr: M W Livsey), M Galanos, P Binet & Brave Luigi (Mgr: D A Johns)

Sales Information

3rd 14. TESTATOR SILENS (AUS) 7yo G
STAR WITNESS (AUS) - SO DETACHED (AUS)
JETT STANLEY
JOSEPH PRIDE
$3.5
50kg
Jacob Park Thoroughbreds (Mgr: D Mcmillan)
4th 13. RIYAZAN (IRE) 9yo G
IFFRAAJ (GB) - RIYABA (IRE)
ZAC LLOYD
M, W & J HAWKES
$26
52.5kg
5th 11. JUNIPAL (AUS) 9yo G
RESET (AUS) - PALATINE HILL (AUS)
DYLAN GIBBONS
CIARON MAHER
$21
54kg

Sales Information

6th 8. MORE SECRETS (AUS) 7yo M
MORE THAN READY (USA) - SECRET INDULGENCE (NZ)
TIM CLARK
M, W & J HAWKES
$10
55kg
7th 2. LION'S ROAR (NZ) 7yo G
CONTRIBUTER (IRE) - MINNALEO (NZ)
JASON COLLETT
JOHN O'SHEA & TOM CHARLTON
$21
60.5kg

Sales Information

8th 9. ALEAS (GB) 6yo G
ARCHIPENKO (USA) - ALEA IACTA (GB)
TOMMY BERRY
CHRIS WALLER
$61
55kg

Sales Information

9th 6. JOJO WAS A MAN (AUS) 7yo G
AL MAHER (AUS) - JO JO GIRL (AUS)
REECE JONES
JOHN P THOMPSON
$15
57kg
10th 4. ROBUSTO (AUS) 5yo G
CHURCHILL (IRE) - SHE'S CLEAN (AUS)
BENJAMIN OSMOND
CHRIS WALLER
$7.5
55kg

Sales Information

11th 1. CEPHEUS (GB) 7yo G
SEA THE STARS (IRE) - CRIMSON CHEER (USA)
NASH RAWILLER
MATTHEW DUNN
$7
62kg

Sales Information

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