Gatsby’s, Candlewick on debut for Joe Pride | Just horse racing

Joe Pride has made a name for himself rejuvenating horses that started their careers in rival stables and he will unleash two newcomers at Randwick on Saturday.

Gatsby’s and Candlewick will both feature the in-form Warwick Farm rider’s first start in the $160,000 Schweppes BM78 Handicap (1100m).

Candlewick is a half-sister to The Everest winner Classique Legend who came to Pride after starting her career with John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, while Gatsby’s was previously trained by Chris Waller but was sent to Pride after a change of ownership.

The son of Snitzel has tested punters’ patience since most of his two wins in the Listed The Rosebud almost 18 months ago, but Pride is happy with what he has seen from the gelding while in his care.

“I haven’t put a lot of pressure on him, but I’m happy with what I’ve seen from him so far,” he said.

“His head seems to be in the right place and that’s often the key with these older horses. If you get them thinking in the right way they will race well, so I’m happy.”

After an uneventful 799-metre trial at Warwick Farm on 8 December, Gatsby’s was again ridden quietly to finish fifth, beaten three lengths by Candlewick, in a 740-metre trial at the same track two weeks later.

He once achieved a 90 rating and his official handicapper rating has dropped to 79, leaving him the top weight of 60.5kg for Saturday’s race, in which he will start from the outside barrier with Jay Ford on board.

“He’s a pretty fast horse, so the barrier might not be too expensive for him – obviously I would have preferred her to have drawn well – but that will do,” Pride said.

Candlewick fared better in the barrier draw to come up with gate eight, and Pierro’s four-year-old daughter, who has won half of her six starts, goes into Saturday’s race with two trials.

“I’m very happy with her, she has done extremely well at home and her trials have been very good,” Pride said.

“She’s new to my house, so we’re just taking her on face value, but based on face value, the way she’s been tried and the way she’s progressed, I would have thought she was a good candidate.

“She’s raced so lightly that hopefully the best of her is ahead of her.”

Candlewick, who weighs 56kg and will be ridden by Zac Lloyd, holds the second stakes line in the Schweppes Handicap behind the Kris Less-trained Hawker Hall, while Gatsby’s will start in double figures for the first time in his career away from Black Type Company.

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