Trainer Joe Pride desperate for improving Rosehill track for Winter Stakes top seed Accredited
Pride could have as many as four runners in the feature event but the fate of his leading contender hinges on drying conditions in Sydney later this week.
Consistent rain and damaging winds have lashed the NSW coast to start the week with Rosehill Gardens rated a Heavy 10 on Wednesday.
'We won't run Accredited if it does stay heavy but if the rain stops we could get back on a soft,' Pride said.
'I would probably run on a soft. It was an optimistic acceptance to be honest, hoping the track would improve for him.
'The horse is going super. I couldn't be happier with him and it's a shame because he is definitely a horse that is better on top of the ground.
'I am not sure we will get that on Saturday.'
Accredited, a $4.80 second elect for the Winter Stakes, is a six-time winner on good tracks but scored his first victory on soft going last start when he bounced back to top form to salute over the Royal Randwick 1200m on a Soft 5.
In-form hoop Alysha Collett, fresh from a double last Saturday, has been booked to ride Accredited.
Accredited too strong in the last at Randwick!
Nash Rawiller goes home a winner and Joe Pride goes back to back to finish the day ðŸ'° @nashhot @PrideRacing pic.twitter.com/DHXnwtWUr7
— 7HorseRacing ðŸ�Ž (@7horseracing) June 21, 2025
Stablemates Estadio Mestalla ($41) is already in the Winter Stakes field while Cool Jakey ($21) and Testator Silens ($41) would both need scratchings to get into the race as the third and fourth emergencies respectively.
Cool Jakey, a winner of four of his eight starts on heavy ground, relishes heavy conditions with Testator Silens also more than capable on rain affected going.
'Cool Jakey and Testator Silens are both wet trackers and even Estadio Mestalla isn't too bad on it,' Pride said.
'Accredited is the worst of the horses on the ground but we have to see what the track dries out to.
'We've had less out west than in town but probably too much to dry out.'
Last year's Group 2 The Ingham winner Robusto ($4.20) has opened favourite with the Bjorn Baker- trained galloper returning home after failing to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm.
Baker also has Thunderlips ($5.50) on the seven-day back-up following his terrific victory at the same venue last weekend.
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