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.”
