Winning's Become Twice As Hard For Price, But He's Virtually There

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday October 11, 2008

By CHRIS ROOTS

YOUNG Nowra trainer Luke Price has two stables to worry about during this afternoon's racing.

Price will back up Adoranova in the Krop Industries Maiden Handicap (1500m) for his actual stable, following her difficult run on Tuesday.

But he'll also be taking a keen interest with what happens in Melbourne, as his virtual stable sits fifth in the TAB Star Stable competition.

"I wish I had a couple of the horses in my star stable at home," Price admitted yesterday.

"It's a bit of fun and I had a good week to start with and I'm looking forward to the rest of the spring with it," he said.

Price is hopeful of starting the Black and White race day with a win after Adoranova pleased him with the way she came through a torrid run earlier in the week.

The three-year-old filly finished eighth in a 1300m maiden to All Black Miss, who is trained by Price's father Robert, and Price believes she needs more ground to perform better.

"She just got smashed in that race on Tuesday and was never a hope," the trainer said.

"She came home and was eaten up and the owners were keen to run her," he added.

"She ran a good race on a quick back-up when she was with Paul Murray and she is getting up to a trip she will enjoy.

"If you look at her breeding she should be a stayer, so 1500m shouldn't be a problem," he said.

Price is foreman for his father and thinks the family will go home with at least one winner as Druid resumes in the Waldean Industries Handicap (1000m).

"He has been working great and fresh, he'll sprint well," Price said.

The Prices also accepted with Beau Secret at Kembla but he will be scratched from the Bartlett & Cachia Handicap (1200m) and run at Hawkesbury tomorrow.

"He's in a 1000m at Hawkesbury and that will suit him better than the 1200m at Kembla," Price said.