Golden Path eyes $5m Caulfield Cup bid after Turnbull Stakes test

Golden Path, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr, placed third in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) last start at Caulfield behind Sir Delius and Buckaroo.

Sir Delius is second favourite for the Melbourne Cup, while Buckaroo placed second in the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup last year.

Kent Jr said Golden Path’s past three starts, the Underwood in particular, forced the Caulfield Cup consideration.

“We’ve had some lengthy discussions with the ownership group,” Kent Jr said.

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“We might have a try at the Caulfield Cup, if we were going that way, and I think we are, then the Turnbull is the likely leaning (on Saturday) … to be confirmed, but he’ll definitely have a nomination.

“The horse is arguably in career best form … our opinion is he’s probably a couple of lengths shy of the best horses in these weight-for-age races over 2000m.

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“His chance at winning a big race could be in a big handicap like the Caulfield Cup … he’s in with a reasonable weight (54.5kg) and my gut feel is he’ll enjoy the 2400m.

“It’s a bit of a gamble … never been past 2000m but I think it’s the right time to take that gamble.

“It’s a $5m punt and the way he can sustain a gallop over 2000m, I’d be hopeful he’d enjoy 2400m and he’s got a great racing style that will suit Caulfield and he’s just a horse in really good form.

“We may not get the same opportunity next year, that’s our thinking. I’m keen to try it, anyway.”

Golden Path is a $15 chance in all-in Caulfield Cup markets.

Golden Path is 28th in the Order of Entry for the Caulfield Cup – well within striking distance of being assured a start in the 18-horse final field.

Half Yours ($4) surged to the top of early markets with a dominant Group 3 Naturalism Stakes win.

Golden Path is also $15 for the Turnbull Stakes on Saturday at Flemington, with Via Sistina ($1.90) a firm favourite from Aeliana ($5) and Buckaroo ($6).

Golden Path has won six of 20 starts and placed five times.

The six-year-old finished two lengths off Via Sistina in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) and then battled off a wide run in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m).

He placed first-up 1600m handicap at Flemington last month and then won second-up before the Underwood eye-catcher.

“It was nice to get him back winning in a handicap at Flemington … he ran really well (Underwood) to show us he’s in career best form,” Kent Jr said.

“It makes a lot of sense, in my opinion, to have a go at the Caulfield Cup … it’s not an easy race, but I think he’s the right horse and the market would tell you he’s somewhat in the race.”

Originally published as Golden Path eyes $5m Caulfield Cup bid after Turnbull Stakes test