9YO stuns trainers with form surge heading into The Gong

Luke Price never thought Cuban Royale would be lining up in the biggest race on his home track but his stalwart has enjoyed a remarkable rise over the past year that his stable could never have expected.

Price and his father Robert will chase their second victory in the $1m The Gong (1600m) this Saturday at Kembla Grange with the now nine-year-old, who has had a career-best 12 months at a time when most horses are heading for retirement.

Cuban Royale was a winner in Benchmark 78 grade over 1200m on The Gong day last year before reaching a new career peak with a maiden stakes triumph in the Listed Carrington Stakes in January.

The son of Casino Prince has raced consistently in stakes grade since, encouraging the Prices to have a crack at their second The Gong.

“There’s no way I would have thought he would be in this race 12 months ago,” Luke Price said.

“I honest don’t know what to put it down to, he just turned the corner. I remember thinking this horse is going to underachieve in his career, he had been hanging around in Benchmark 70s but was a Benchmark 80 horse.

“He just got confidence up and away he went.

“It’s good because he’s been able to maintain it. I was worried after his prep but he has come back and run second in a Bill Ritchie and hasn’t had a heap of luck since but continue to run really well in races.”

Another Kembla-trained horse, the Kerry Parker-trained Hope In Your Heart, finished runner up to Riodini in the same race last year.

Cuban Royale will be the only Kembla galloper to line up in the race this year.

He was a runner-up to eventual Epsom Handicap winner Rediener in the Bill Ritchie earlier this preparation before running in the Alan Brown Stakes (11th) and Filante Handicap (sixth).

He went to Hawkesbury last start for a fourth in the Ladies Day Cup after conditions deteriorated into the heavy range following storms on the afternoon.

“I think he is really still going good,” Price said.

“The wet track stuff us up halfway through the day and when it rained it put us behind the Eight ball.

“He has got to prove himself at the mile but I am confident with the way the horse is racing these races that he certainly can do.

“It would have been nice to draw a bit softer but I think still think he can get the right run and run a race.”

Former stable apprentice Brock Ryan will ride Cuban Royale, which will jump from barrier 13 in The Gong an is a $61 outsider.

Chris Waller’s top seed Osipenko ($3.50) has remained a firm favourite since TAB markets were released on Wednesday while Detonator Jack ($5.50) and Cepheus ($7.50) are among the leading chances.

The Prices will saddle up two chances earlier on the card with Victory Lane and All Machiavellian both set to contest the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

Victory Lane ($12) finished in the back half of the field in the Four Pillars last time after drawing the outside in barrier 20 while All Machiavellian ($21) is dropping back in grade.

“It’s hard to split them,” Price said.

“Victory Lane, the visors go on, and I know his form the last couple doesn’t look that great, but back on his home track with the gear change, he might be the pick of them from a better draw.

“I like the draw for All Machiavellian, we just don’t need it to rain.

“At this stage the horse is good and that looks very suitable for him.”

Stablemate Rebel Dean is a $51 outsider in the Elite Sand & Soil Benchmark 78 Handicap (1000m) but Price believes he can perform above those odds.

The son of Rebel Dane is second-up after finishing a close third at the same track and trip last time.

“I really like Rebel Dean,” Price said.

“Keagan (Latham) just got his whip stuck in the rein and could not hit him.

“He has got good form in race similar to this, if not stronger.

“We get him fresh off a break, knowing him more now and aimed at this meeting, I think he runs really well.”