Mick Price is trying to keep things simple when it comes to managing talented but troublesome galloper Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj), who will shortly resume racing.
A spider bite and subsequent illness almost claimed the gelding’s life and, ever since, getting the horse to display his true ability has been an understandably tricky task for Price and co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr.
However, a pleasing Cranbourne jumpout on Monday morning has Price equal parts optimistic and hopeful Ayrton can bounce back this spring.
“He was good, he’s good and then there’s race day, of course,” Price said.
“No wet ground, certainly not past a mile, keep him fresh and keep him on his feet, he’s a nice horse and he always trials good.”
The 2022 Gr.3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) winner hasn’t raced since a poor run in the Listed City of Adelaide Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville in April, but if things were to go to plan, Price has circled the rescheduled Gr.1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield in the back half of the spring as a potential goal for the now six-year-old.
“He’ll miss next Monday, he’ll have another trial and then he’ll run in either the Weekend Hussler (1400m) or the other 1400m, the Moonga (Stakes) I think,” Price said.
Ayrton was bred by Cambridge accountant Greg McCarthy, who remains in the ownership group after a private sale was negotiated by bloodstock agent Phill Cataldo after the horse finished second in his only trial in New Zealand at Te Teko for trainer Lauren Brennan.
