Extreme Choice and Flying Artie quinelled the Blue Diamond Stakes for Mick Price on February 27th and have both worked well at the opposite way of going as they build towards an appearance in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens in just under two weeks.
Extreme Choice is already proven at the Sydney way of going. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Both colts carried exceptional form into the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in February and while each drew reasonably awkwardly, displayed their sheer class and dominance with the comfortable first and second finish.
Extreme Choice is a proven performer at the Sydney way of going having won the Inglis Nursery (1000m) by two lengths on debut at Randwick, but Price was pleased with the effort produced by each of the talented stable mates this morning.
“They were both pretty good,” Price told Racing Ahead.
“They had a bit of a practice go on Saturday morning on this inside grass at a medium-sort of gallop. They didn’t do a lot, just some practice for this morning.
“Flying Artie is pretty good around this way of going. Extreme Choice has been that way and handled that way and not much goes wrong with him.
“Flying Artie we put on the inside on the fence and he sat off, cruised up and handled it good. Damien (Oliver) rode him, Craig (Newitt) rode the other and work was good.
“The quickened up really well, they weren’t out to compete against each other as such but they’re nice galloping partners and pulled up well.
“At this point everything has gone very well.”
Conceding both will have to bring their A-game to the track on Golden Slipper Day, Price cannot fault the two-year-olds and revealed they will likely complete a Tuesday morning gallop in the lead-up to the feature race.
“On some occasions we’ve had them here (at Caulfield) and they go to Sydney and get a little bit lost but from what we can see, it’s pretty good,” Price said.
“They will go to Rosehill on Thursday night and I think they’ll both have a course proper gallop on Tuesday.
“I put them in the trial there but it’s on a Monday and I think they’ll just have a gallop on Tuesday and they’ll be ready to go.”
Ladbrokes Australia are currently offering Extreme Choice as a $2.80 market favourite in Golden Slipper betting markets, while Flying Artie can be taken at $6.50.
