Kembla preview: Monte Veebee ready to crack it for his first win
Trainers Robert and Luke Price are banking on a step back up in trip on his home track can end a frustrating run of minor placings and see Monte Veebee break through for his first win.
The Prices were pleased with his first-up run when a half-length second behind Fleeting Spirit over 1300m on the Kensington before dropping his back to 1175m to chase a $100,000 Inglis Bonus in a Super Maiden at Albury on April 17.
For the fifth time in his eight-start career, Monte Veebee finished second when beaten a length-and-a-half by Dubai Darling.
Two of his second placings have been behind subsequent stakes winners Media World in the Clarendon at Hawkesbury 12 months ago and to El Castello at Warwick Farm last spring.
He gets his chance to break through in the Midway Maiden Plate (1400m) from barrier 2.
'He is more a 1400m and 1500m horse so back to that trip here will suit him,' said Robert Price.
'He's well placed from a nice draw this weekend,' he said.
'We have tinkered with the gear. We had blinkers on him and t hey didn't really work so we have put the winkers on him now.
'There's nothing wrong with the way the horse is going. He is looking great.
'He should be in the winners' circle if things go right.'
The stable also has Glitterscript in the same race and want to see the filly step up to the form that saw her place in town 12 months ago.
'She is running out of chances but things haven't been going right for her this preparation,' he said.
'She is a mare who squats down a bit in the gates.
'If she begins and gets a nice run in transit, she can run a cheeky race.'
Invade And Conquer scored a dominant win over the Kembla 1400m three starts back and Price when ridden by apprentice Millie Fitzgerald.
He then carried 59kg when eighth at Hawkesbury over 1400m and fourth at Kembla over 1300m at his last two runs.
They have called on new Kembla apprentice Holly Durnan to claim 3kg in the Benchmark 68 Handicap (1400m) to bring his weight down to 55.5kg.
'He likes to be the dominate one in the run. He gets to that one speed and keep going,' he said.
'Back to the 1400m suits better and he may even be looking for a mile now if we can find one.
'He is going well and will be somewhere in the finish.'
Also in the race, they saddle up Miss Hvar who cased a boilover when she won on debut at Kembla on April 19 at $51.
'That was a pleasant surprise,' he said.
'It's always hard stepping up from a maiden win into benchmark grade but she has done nothing wrong.
'She would have to be some sort of chance.'
Their first runner of the day is Noble Ruby who is also another knocking on the door for a maiden win.
The three-year-old filly has placed in three of her four starts this preparation, the latest a long neck second to Master Patrick at Wagga on May 1.
'She is certainly is knocking on the door but she is stepping back up to provincial grade.
'She has drawn nice and we still have a soft track. Hopefully we don't get any more rain.
'Barrier three is a nice draw for her. She races on speed in the first four or five and should get to ground in the middle of the track.'
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