A small field and the chance to land a confidence-boosting win have convinced trainers Robert and Luke Price to give Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) hopeful Verbek (NZ) (Turn Me Loose) one more run before tipping him out for a winter break.
The two-year-old has finished runner-up at his past three starts, the latest when placed behind Volcanic Rock in the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) in Brisbane during a hit-and-run trip that the trainers hope can prove the making of the youngster.
“A trip away is so valuable for a horse, especially at that age,” Robert Price said.
“The thing about the trip away is you’re more one-on-one and they’re getting that special attention.
“Notoriously, these late two-year-old races, especially the ones around a mile, always get small fields and the weather was horrible so we thought, bugger it, we’ll just give him a couple of nice days in the paddock (after Queensland) and bring him back in.”
Verbek will have seven rivals in Saturday’s E Group Security Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill in what will be his final campaign run.
It will give him enough time to have a few weeks in the paddock before he returns for a Spring Champion Stakes preparation.
The two-year-old is by Windsor Park Stud stallion Turn Me Loose out of High Chaparral mare Chapchick whose two wins were on heavily rain-affected tracks, auguring well for him to handle the wet conditions.
Verbek is the only horse Price trains by the sire but he would happily welcome a few more into the stable.
“I really like the sire,” Price said.
“I’ve watched them come through the sales and he certainly puts his stamp on them. They’re big, strong individuals with good temperaments.”
Turn Me Loose stands at Windsor Park Stud and has also produced unbeaten Kiwi youngster and Listed winner Turn The Ace.
