Victory Lane (Brock Ryan, outside, white cap) trained by Robert & Luke Price wins at Kembla Grange on November 25, 2023 – photo by Martin King/Sportpix copyright
A week after coming agonisingly close to winning their first major with Our Gold Hope in the Queensland Oaks, Robert and Luke Price will get another bite of the Group 1 cherry with the up-and-coming Smashing Time.
The father and son training partners had mixed emotions following last weekend’s Oaks after Our Gold Hope loomed up to win before Socks Nation rallied again to deny her by a long neck.
“She’s not a natural staying filly but they’re only three-year-olds once so we gave it a go and she only just missed,” Luke Price said.
“It was a good buzz and we nearly pulled it off.”
In an incredible feat for the boutique stable, Team Price will have another Group 1 opportunity at Eagle Farm on Saturday with Smashing Time in the J J Atkins (1600m).
Rated a $23 chance in early markets, the two-year-old has shown promise in his three starts to date, including when doing his best work late to finish fifth to Atkins favourite Broadsiding in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
Price expects Smashing Time to be suited by a distance rise on Saturday and while he hasn’t been with the horse in Brisbane, he says all the feedback has been positive.
“The horse worked extremely well on the course proper at the Gold Coast on Tuesday morning,” Price said.
“I have heard glowing reports from a number of people – not just my own stable.
“Broadsiding will know he’s there on Saturday.
“I’m not scared of Broadsiding. I think my bloke is a very nice horse, he is still untapped and whether he’s a miler or not, time will tell but he is bred to be.
“(Sire) Brave Smash hasn’t had a Group One winner yet and it’s certainly worth a crack.”
Smashing Time has had to contend with wide draws at his past two starts but will jump from barrier four on Saturday and Tommy Berry sticks with the gelding.
Broadsiding dominates early markets as a $1.70 favourite as he looks to add the J J Atkins to his Group 1 Champagne Stakes win during the Sydney autumn, with Sires’ Produce Stakes runner-up Zouana next pick at $10.
Price also reported that Our Gold Hope had suffered a minor setback following her Oaks placing and wouldn’t be seen again until next year.
“She will miss the spring,” Price said.
“She has pulled up with a minor issue, nothing major, but she will be saved for the autumn and have a more of an extended break.”