Mick Price will divert from his usual spring carnival thinking to run Hydrogen Power at Flemington on Saturday.
Price’s longtime method has been to give his spring three-year-old contenders short two-year-old campaigns, often consisting of a single run.
However, Price and training partner Michael Kent Jr are happy to do things a little differently with Hydrogen Power, who will tackle the Jockey Appreciation Plate (1400m).
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Hydrogen Power ran a solid fourth on debut at Sandown on May 6 but Price and Kent Jr have Group 1 ambitions for the colt in the spring.
“With those horses that I think will be nice three-year-olds, I usually give them one run then put them out but he pulled up very well,” Price said.
“I like the potential spring horses to have one run then go out but he’s done well and he can have another one before he goes out.
“I think he’s maybe a Caulfield Guineas type.
“He’s probably not a Derby horse as he doesn’t appeal to me as a dour stayer as I think he’s got a better turn of foot than that.”
Visinari will contest the Winter Championship heat at Flemington on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images
If pedigree means anything, Hydrogen Power will be hard to beat in a Caulfield Guineas.
His sire The Autumn Sun won the 2018 Caulfield Guineas while the youngster hails from the same family as multiple Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracy.
Hydrogen Power started his career over 1300m at Sandown but Price another 100m, combined with race experience, would assist the promising performer.
“I think he has improved since,” Price said.
“I think it will benefit him to be over 1400m at Flemington.”
Price and Kent Jr will also run experienced campaigners Our Playboy and Visinari in Saturday’s heat of the VJA Winter Championship (1600m).
The duo missed placings in testing conditions at Warrnambool early this month.
Our Playboy carried 62kg when sixth to Tasmanian galloper Secret Plan while Visinari was beaten four lengths in a 1700m handicap.
Price said conditions were wetter than the duo preferred but both horses needed to improve to win a Flemington.
“Ben (Melham) said the 62kg was just too much for Our Playboy at Warrnambool,” Price said.
“If we find the right race over a mile and down in the weights, he could win again.”
Visinari is an $11 chance while Our Playboy is at $34 despite dropping 6.5kg on his Warrnambool weight.