Joe Pride has no qualms about the task ahead for Destiny’s Kiss who runs in the Scone Cup as a lead-up to the Brisbane Cup.
The Nick Moraitis-owned and bred gelding won over 1600 metres at Warwick Farm on Anzac Day carrying 59.5kg and steps back up to stakes class in Friday’s Listed Scone Cup over the same distance.
“He runs in the Scone Cup and won’t have another run before the Brisbane Cup,” Pride said.
“I’ve got no problem with him going from 1600 to 2400 metres. He is really versatile and is the sort of horse that can handle it.
“He is one of my favourites. He is a super little athlete.”
The Group Two Brisbane Cup (2400m) is on June 7.
The Chris Waller-trained three-year-old Vilanova ran third behind Destiny’s Kiss at Warwick Farm and ran a respectable fourth in Saturday’s Group Three Rough Habit Plate at Doomben.
Destiny’s Kiss is the winner of nine races from 1500 to the 2400 metres of last year’s Winter Cup.
The Scone Cup is the highlight of the first day of the Scone meeting on the eve of the richest country meeting in NSW.
The $400,000 Scone Guineas and the $200,000 Dark Jewel Classic, both over 1400 metres, headline Saturday’s program which also features four races worth $140,000 and two carrying $85,000.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Twilight Royale can pick up the biggest cheque in NSW racing if she can turn her form around to win the Guineas.
As well as the first prize money, Twilight Royale can earn $2.4 million in Inglis bonus money for her wins as a two-year-old which include the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Twilight Royale’s two starts this autumn have not been as encouraging as her trainer would like with the filly unplaced in two Group Three races, the PJ Bell and the Hawkesbury Guineas.