‘This is not that much of a step-up’: Trainer backs stayer to win

Trainer Joe Pride has done his best to place honest stayer Elle Hudson in an advantageous position at Kensington on Wednesday when he hopes he can back up his last start breakthrough.

The grey notched his first win in 18 months when successful over 2200m at Newcastle two weeks ago. Pride said he will be tough to beat in the Nutrien Ag Solutions Handicap (2400m).

He carried 60kg to win that race on July 14 with jockey Sam Clipperton board. It was Elle Hudson’s third win from 23 starts and he drops 1.5kg against a few familiar rivals in Sydney.

“This is not that much of a step-up, he’s going to meet a few a bit worse at the weights,” Pride said.

“I thought he was dominant enough over them the other day to get the job done again.

“He’ll run 2400m no worries, he’s been looking for this sort of trip. He’d be very hard to beat and he’s run well at Kenso when I’ve run him there in the past.”

Pride has a 2400m Benchmark 78 in mind at Randwick on Saturday week for Elle Hudson to end his campaign if he can achieve back-to-back wins.

“If he can win one or both of them it’s been a successful prep, he doesn’t win out of turn but he’s matured enough now,” he said.

Former South Australian galloper Anthracite didn’t run up to the ability Pride is certain he has in his two starts in Sydney earlier this year, but he’s quietly confident he can turn things around.

The five-year-old won three of his first four starts before arriving at the Warwick Farm stables. The trainer said he’s learned a lot from that unsuccessful campaign.

“Forget the two runs he’s had in Sydney, I’ve started from scratch this time and I’m happy with him,” Pride said. “He’s an interesting horse. He has a profile I think we can build on and I think he can turn into a handy horse here in Sydney.”

Anthracite started favourite at his Sydney debut on the back of a couple of trials and Pride has given him a similar build up to the TAB Handicap (1300m).

“He looks a little bit lost, he’s got a lot to learn but there’s some serious talent there in the locker,” Pride said.

“I’ve got to unlock it. He’s a quirky horse, he’s not easy work, but he’s got something there.”

Supplied by Racing NSW