Astute trainer Mick Price was suitably impressed yesterday by the performance of imports
Astute trainer Mick Price was suitably impressed yesterday by the performance of imports Pakal and Bit Of Hell at the Cranbourne barrier trials.
Pakal, a four-year-old German import by Lord Of England, finished first in his 1190 metre trial, with Bit Of Hell, a four-year-old Italian import by Hurrican Run, a narrow runner-up in the same heat.
Price said both horses would likely to make their Australian debut at Caulfield over 1600 metres on May 25.
“They’re both lovely, happy horses that have settled in well and are working well,” Price said.
“I thought they went super, they’re sound, they’re not jarry at all and they’ve both got a good set of lungs.
“Bit Of Hell is still a bull (stallion) but he was genuine yesterday and off what I saw in the trial I think he’s more of a 2400 metre type of horse, where as Pakal might be more a 2000 metre horse.
“I’ll probably only give them one run this preparation, I don’t think I’d give them two unless I get some information out of the run on the 25th that suggests I need to.”
The third of Price’s imported trio to trial at Cranbourne yesterday was Francastel, a four-year-old French import by Gold Away who finished third beaten five-and-a-half lengths in an earlier trial over 1190m.
Still an entire, Price said may be said may not be intact for too much longer if he doesn’t turn his attitude around.
“Dale Smith (jockey) said he got to the 200 metre mark and he just wanted to sing out and talk to the horse on his inside, he was just out there having a play,” he said.
“He might go to Ballarat on Thursday week over 1400 metres.
“There all nice horses and I’m happy with them bar Francastel who’s still a bit colty.”