Priceless (NZ) (Tavistock) has a way to go to scale the heights of her older half-sister, but co-trainer Troy Corstens is confident the three-year-old filly’s first win might not be too far away.
The younger sibling to Roch ‘N’ Horse (NZ) (Per Incanto) resumes in the 1200-metre maiden that kicks off Wednesday’s Sandown program.
The set-weights event will be her second start, having started her career with a seventh placing in a 1343m maiden at Geelong on January 13, but Corstens thinks she is better-equipped to make an impression at start number two.
“She showed us good ability last preparation but probably was just a little bit over the top (on debut),” Corstens said.
“It was one of those cases where they may be over the top, but they haven’t shown any signs, and then when you run them and, sure enough, they were.
“I’m much happier with her this time around. She’s had a really base and she’s ready to go back to the races.”
Priceless’ preparations for her return to racing have included three jumpouts, including wins over 900m at Geelong and 800m at Flemington.
Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, is more worried about than the distance of Wednesday’s race with the daughter of Tavistock.
“The 1200 we think should be good as long as we don’t get too much rain. She’s not a fan of the wet, so we wouldn’t want to get any more rain,” Corstens said.
Priceless proved an astute purchase by Russell and Robyn Rogers from Kendayla Park in New Zealand, paying just $2000 for her at the National Weanling Sale.
That was before Roch ‘N’ Horse had raced with the daughter of Per Incanto subsequently stamping herself one of the best sprinters in Australasia with Group One wins in the Newmarket Handicap and Champions Sprint.
Corstens is hopeful Priceless can prove herself worthy of being set for better races in the next few starts.
“She’s a typical Tavistock, so she’s still going to need a little bit of time, but she’s going particularly well,” Corstens said.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we can have two or three runs, give her a little ease up and then we’ll see if we can get her into the spring.”
Priceless will be ridden by Liam Riordan at Sandown with the pair to jump from barrier three in the field of 12.
