WEATHER A FACTOR IN PRIDES CONFIDENCE

Joe Pride looking forward to Gosford Wet Track

Brutality is Pride’s runner in the $500,000 The Coast at 1600m, stablemate Stockman is in the Listed $250,000 Gosford Gold Cup over 2100m and Easy Eddie contests the Listed $150,000 Takeover Target Stakes over 1200m.

To get over the line first in all three races Pride is currently a 400/1 shot but the price is not dampening the New South Wales trainers spirits.

“I have a good team of wet-trackers for Gosford,’’ Pride said.

“I turned up with them on a track that was a dry as a bone last start which didn’t suit them but they will enjoy these track conditions on Saturday.’’

The Gosford track going into Friday was rated in the Heavy range and with more rain expected before race day conditions are likely to suit Brutality perfectly in the inaugural running of The Coast.

Brutality currently sits as a $14 in betting behind race favourites All Saints’ Eve, Wheelhouse and Nudge at $6.

 “If you look at his record, Brutality has had six starts on good tracks for only one placing – that tells a story,’’ he said.

“He has been specifically brought in this time of the season and set for this race because he is a very good wet-tracker.

“I’ve always had a good opinion of this horse, he is only lightly raced and the best is ahead of him.’’

“I like him as a horse and when he gets his toe in the ground he has that big finish on him. He will takes beating.’’

Stablemate Stockman lines up a $7.50 shot for the Gosford Gold Cup behind Chris Wallers $5.50 favourite Polly Grey. Pride cited Stockman’s two runs back from a spell as key to success.

“Stockman, like Brutality, prefers rain-affected going,’’ Pride said.

“The key to Stockman is his form on wet tracks – it is so much better than his dry tracks runs.

“He is only lightly raced and the best is ahead of him.’’

The veteran of the trio, Easy Eddie lines up for his 34th start in the Takeover Target Stakes with the 7 year old looking likely to be another to enjoy the damp conditions.

“When you go through ‘Eddie’s’ career, he has hardly been on wet tracks and when he does he rarely misses a place,’’ Pride said.

“I’ve been pleased with him this preparation, he’s been going really well but he just hasn’t had a wet track,’’ the trainer said.

“He gets his chance at Gosford. He did run second in the Takeover Target Stakes a couple of years ago when he didn’t have much luck so we know he will handle the track.’’

Easy Eddie has started 24 times on good tracks for four wins and nine placings but on soft-heavy going, he has had nine starts for four wins and two placings.

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