Mick Price’s import Count Of Limonade will only run in Saturday’s Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Sandown if the track is rated slower than a Dead 4.

Despite a solid run when fifth in the Listed Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) on a Good 3 surface last start, trainer Price said the five-year-old son of Duke Of Marmalade would not tackle anything firmer than a Dead 5.

“When we first had him, he pulled-up shin sore on these Australian tracks so I have to be very careful with him,” Price explained.

“If it was a Dead 5 he would definitely run, he’d be competitive, he has done good work down at Coronet Bay and he is ready to get tried over the mile and a half; I know the weights might not favour him but if the track is OK for him, he’ll run.”

There is a chance of rain on Friday and early Saturday but with Thursday set to reach 34 degrees, there would have to be a significant downpour for the condition of the track to be to Count of Limonade’s liking.

The imported European galloper put in a strong performance to win the $135,000 The WIN Network Moe Cup (2050m) on October 16 on a Slow 6,

Price will also saddle-up Seenaan in the Group 2 Sportingbet Sandown Guineas(1600m) on Saturday.

The colt was a last-start sixth in the Listed Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day. 

Price said he opted to run the three-year-old at Sandown despite being nominated for a tilt the Group 2 Western Australian Guineas (1600m), as he felt Seenaan was not up to the Guineas grade.

“We’re going to back him up at Sandown, I thought that the Hilton Stakes took a bit out of him; on Sunday morning he looked a bit tucked up around the flanks and he is a colt, so we’re going to have a very light week,” Price said.

“It’s sort of the last chance for these three-year-olds, I don’t think he is good enough to justify putting him on a plane and sending him to Perth where he was a WA Guineas nom.

 

“[Daniel] Moor was very, very complimentary of the run he said he is looking for the mile; he is very honest, he toils away but can he win a Sandown Guineas? I think he can run first four.”