By Ray Hickson
On paper 62.5kg looks a hefty impost but trainer Joe Pride can’t see any reason why it will bother impressive last start winner Monasterio at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The five-year-old made light work of 60kg on the Kensington track two weeks ago when he posted his first win for Pride, who is resisting rushing Monasterio back to a race Saturday for now.
Pride has elected not to claim and sees the weight as only a minor factor in whether he wins the All Too Hard @ Vinery handicap (1600m) or otherwise.
“It’s a nice assignment, he’s got a bit of weight to carry but he had 60kg the other day,’’ Pride said.
“There’s not that much of a spread in these midweek races and I think if they’re going to carry 62.5kg you’ll see them do it at the midweeks as opposed to a Saturday.
“He’ll get a crack at a Saturday race soon enough but I thought this looked a nice race for him along the way.’’
Monasterio was double figure odds last start but is a $5.50 chance with TAB on Tuesday in a wide open market.
Monasterio wins at Randwick on June 26
Pride’s point about the weight spread is an interesting one – there’s only 5.5kg between the top weight and the most he’ll concede is 7kg.
The gelding led all the way in his third-up win over 1550m on the Kensington track and Pride expects him to roll forward and look to obtain a similar run on the pace.
“I thought it was a good win, it looked like he was enjoying himself out there,’’ he said.
“His second run was pretty good, he chased the tearaway leader that day. He took a few runs to get near his peak but I’d like to think now he’s found it he can maintain it.’’
While Warwick Farm will likely lift a little from its Heavy 9 rating on Tuesday, Pride said it probably won’t dry out enough to give Chapelco conditions he appreciates.
Chapelco, an $11 chance, is engaged in the Exosphere @ Darley Handicap (1400m) but he didn’t appreciate the Kensington heavy 10 when beaten under three lengths by Stella Sea Sun.
“He was taken on in front the other day and that didn’t suit him on a heavy track,’’ Pride said.
“He’s better on a good to soft but I don’t know if it will get to that range.’’
Pride said there may be a race for Chapelco on Wednesday week but is still likely to get his chance at Warwick Farm while it’s an improving track.
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Warwick Farm meeting