Joe Pride eyes Australia Day Cup for Bullets High after win at Wyong

Joe Pride has set his sights on an Australia Day Weekend listed race for his rising star Bullets High.

After winning the De Bortoli Wines Benchmark 88 Handicap (2100m) at Wyong on Saturday, the trainer says that his four-year-old gelding could run in the Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm on January 27.

Bullets High has showed in six of his last seven races dating back to October 16’s Tab Benchmark 72 at Warwick Farm.

Pride praises winning horse

Bullets High entered the De Bortoli Wines Benchmark 88 Handicap as one of the favourites with $3 odds from the betting sites.

The gelding lived up to his odds by putting in a thrilling performance to win by half a length over another one of the betting apps favourites, Chris Waller’s Unlimited.

After the race, Joe Pride spoke about his winning horse and praised his performance.

“He’s been a very consistent horse, to be fair to him,” Pride said after the win.

“I don’t think there’s been any lack of effort there from him but maybe a little lack of race craft,” he added.

“He loves Warwick Farm”

Bullets High’s win was just his second ever career victory. However, as Pride said, he has consistently challenged in recent months. The gelding has finished in the top of three of all but one of his seven races this season.

Off the back of this good recent form, Pride spoke about what’s next for Bullets High. Specifically, the trainer thinks his gelding could run in the Australia Day Cup.

“He’s getting it together. He loves Warwick Farm and it’s been the plan all preparation to get him to the Australia Day Cup there. That’s where we’ll head next.” he said.

Big plans

Pride made it clear that the Australia Day Cup is in Bullets High’s immediate future. However, he also wagered that the 2400m race will not be the only big event in his gelding’s career.

Speaking about Saturday’s race, Pride commented on what he saw and how he instructed jockey Adam Hyeronimus to handle Bullets High.

“I said to Adam, he’s a horse that can run a mile so don’t be afraid to get going on him early.

“He’s got a bit of stamina and he rode him like a horse that could run a trip. He was a little bit soft late but he was probably entitled to be that.”

The trainer then added “He’s been very consistent in his performances in his whole career and I’m sure that’s not the best race he’s going to win.”

It will be interesting to see how these comments hold up after the Australia Day Cup at the end of the month.

Bullets High finished 12th in his only race at Group level. However, if Pride is correct about his potential, we could be looking at a horse who could contend in Group 1 races in the future.