Promising mare Big Red Tequila is set to tackle a different assignment than originally planned at Kensington on Wednesday, but trainer Joe Pride remains supremely confident she can handle the task and the wet conditions.
Change of Plans, No Change in Confidence
While the initial target was a race at Wyong, Pride opted to wait due to concerns over the tough track conditions on the day. The mare now lines up in the All Too Hard Yearlings Handicap over 1000 metres, a scenario Pride views as favourable given her affinity for rain-affected ground.
"She's really good in the wet, she won a Canterbury maiden on a really heavy track," Pride stated. "It's going to be wet to some degree and that will only help her."
A Mare on the Rise
Big Red Tequila has raced six times for two wins and was a fast-finishing third behind Ice Kool in a strong Benchmark 72 race at Randwick almost a month ago. Pride believes the lightly raced four-year-old will cope with the month between runs and the slight drop in distance.
"She's lightly raced, she tries hard, she's a nice type of mare. She's got plenty going for her, I'm sure she'll win some Saturday races for the stable," he said, pegging her as a horse capable of rising quickly through the grades.
Stablemates and Strategy Shifts
Pride also has Vanlee engaged on the card, with a final decision on her participation dependent on track conditions on the day. The mare ran well for second when resuming on New Year's Day.
"I'd be concerned if it was a real genuine heavy track," Pride said of Vanlee. "A soft track would be okay."
Meanwhile, middle-distance galloper Elle Hudson will resume in the TAB Handicap with a change of tactics. Pride has removed the blinkers and instructed jockey Nash Rawiller to ride the five-year-old more conservatively off the speed.
"He became quite one paced and one dimensional last preparation," Pride explained. "We'll try riding him off the speed and see if he's got a turn of foot. He's a horse to follow this prep."
Kensington Race-by-Race Preview
Race 1 (2:20pm): Kokatahi is tipped to be hard to beat first-up based on solid form from his first preparation and two pleasing recent trials.
Race 2 (2:55pm): An open contest where Castagnola gets his chance from a good draw after a promising debut run at Kembla Grange.
Race 3 (3:30pm): Clear Proof is the selection, coming off a narrow last-start defeat and with wet track form to support his claims.
Race 4 (4:05pm): The resuming Elle Hudson is an each-way chance at a suitable trip, with the new riding style a key watch.
Race 5 (4:40pm): The feature event where Big Red Tequila is the logical horse to beat, with her wet track prowess a significant advantage.
Race 6 (5:15pm): Clancy is a promising type who should run well fresh off a solid resumption in stronger company.
Race 7 (5:50pm): Existential Bob is knocking on the door for a win and finds favourable conditions to break through.
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