Racing
Guest appearance a stark reminder for Price
Diamond favourite reminds trainer of the Slipper winner that got away
Guest House, along with stablemate Big Sky, is playing a key role in comparisons with other precocious Mick Price-trained colts, but it is a youngster Price did not even prepare that he continues to be reminded of.
Price said the son of Home Affairs shares similarities with 2005 Golden Slipper winner Stratum, who is the sire of Guest House's dam Flamboyant Lass, which is what prompted the master trainer of juveniles to go to $270,000 for him at last year's Magic Millions January Sale.
Paul Perry won the right to train Stratum, but only after he outbid Price when that son of Redoute's Choice was offered as a yearling in 2004.
"I remember Stratum because I bid on him," Price said.
"He was a beautiful colt with no pedigree and he (Guest House) reminds me of Stratum.
"When I saw him, that's what I saw."
Guest House, who Price trains in partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, will get to the races for the first time since his soft debut win at Cranbourne on December 27 when he contests this Saturday's $350,000 Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield.
The Roll The Dice Racing colt will be out to emulate Flying Artie, who a decade ago Price trained to win a Blue Diamond Prelude at his second start before an unlucky second placing to stablemate Extreme Choice in the Blue Diamond.
Extreme Choice won that Diamond after a 4-1/2-length romp in the 1000m Chairman's Stakes, the race that Guest House's stablemate Big Sky won by three lengths last Saturday.
Just as Extreme Choice and Flying Artie did 10 years ago, Guest House and Big Sky dominate betting on this year's Diamond with Guest House the $4 favourite from his stablemate at $4.50.
Guest House tuned up for his return to the races with a dominant win in an 800m jumpout at Cranbourne on January 26 and Price said Saturday's race will have him primed to peak in the 1200m Group 1 Blue Diamond on February 21.
"He's raring to go, that horse," Price said.
"So, we'll sit him off one on Tuesday, get a nice gallop (and) turn up in the 1100 where he'll be hard to beat.
"He will improve and I reckon he's got a very robust 1200 (metre race) in him."
Guest House was one of 13 nominations for the colts and geldings' Prelude, which also includes the first four home in the Preview – Alibaba, Milsons Point, Invicto and High Alert – along with Merson Cooper Stakes winner Eternal Warrior and Maribyrnong Trial winner Eurocanto.
A $350,000 Group 2 Prelude for the fillies will also be run with Geelong Diamond winner Moana Spirit heading the list of 18 nominations.
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