Mick Price has recommended to owner Nathan Tinkler that in-form three-year-old Pricked take his place in Saturday's Hussonet Handicap at Sandown instead of Monday's Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield.Price, who was in New Zealand inspecting yearlings on Thursday, said Pricked was better suited in Saturday's 1300m race on the Lakeside track where he drew barrier six than from the outside gate in the Listed Zeditave (1200m)."I would be thinking the Zeditave is too hard. My advice to Mr Tinkler would be

Mick Price has recommended to owner Nathan Tinkler that in-form three-year-old Pricked take his place in Saturday's Hussonet Handicap at Sandown instead of Monday's Zeditave Stakes at Caulfield.

Price, who was in New Zealand inspecting yearlings on Thursday, said Pricked was better suited in Saturday's 1300m race on the Lakeside track where he drew barrier six than from the outside gate in the Listed Zeditave (1200m).

"I would be thinking the Zeditave is too hard. My advice to Mr Tinkler would be not to run from 12 out of 12 (in the Zeditave) and take on the $60,000 race on Saturday."

Chris Symons has been engaged to ride Pricked in both events.

He rode the Thorn Park colt when he scored an impressive 1-3/4 length victory over Captain Coltish over 1200m on the Lakeside circuit when second-up for Price on January 7.

The colt, formerly with the Patrick Payne stable, has raced five times for two wins and three second placings.

Price has Heart Of Dreams engaged in the Zeditave with Craig Newitt the rider.

The Show A Heart gelding, the winner of two races and placed in his other two, hasn't raced since winning the Winning Edge Presentations Stakes (1400m) from smart three-year-olds Drumbeats, Caymans and Dr Doute's on Caulfield Cup day.

The hardest for Pricked to beat if he takes his place at Sandown could be the David Hayes-trained pair Burly Griffen and Aqaleem.

Burly Griffen has won two of his three starts including a three-length win over stablemate Darpana over 1300m in heavy going on the Lakeside track last August.

The Hillman gelding hasn't raced since the saddle slipped when he ran 10th to Lord Tavistock over 1400m on September 6.

Elusive City colt Aqaleem ran fifth to stablemate Von Costa De Hero in the Group Two VRC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last March.

A half-brother to Group One winner Hill Of Grace and Group Two winner Renewable, Aqaleem was disappointed for a run when resuming with a third to Grand Jardin over 1100m at Caulfield on January 10.

Brad Rawiller, who has ridden Burly Griffen in all of his races retains the mount on Saturday, while Glen Boss rides Aqaleem for the first time.

Sandown racecourse manager Tim Bailey said the track was rated a dead (4) on Thursday morning.

No rainfall has been recorded this week, but 52mm of irrigation has been applied.

The rail is in the true position.