Trainer Joe Pride could have two runners in the 2014 All Aged Stakes; with Group 1 winners Steps In Time and Tiger Tees a chance of contesting the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on April 26.
Steps In Time is on track to chase a second Group 1 victory in the All Aged Stakes at Royal Randwick in just under a fortnight. Photo by: Steve Hart
Tiger Tees maintained his consistent 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival form with a strong fourth behind Lankan Rupee, Rebel Dane and Buffering in the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday and Pride is currently assessing his options with The Galaxy winner.
Pride told TVN that the a step-up to 1400 metres for the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) was one option for Tiger Tees, but he revealed that he is a chance of taking the Dubawi gelding to Brisbane for a tilt at the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 10.
“I’m still in two minds whether we sneak up to Brisbane early or he could also stick around for the All Aged Stakes,” Pride said
“It is not a bad problem to have because we know he is racing well.”
Steps In Time started her autumn preparation with a narrow second place finish behind Catkins in the Group 2 Breeders Classic (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15 and she broke through for her maiden win at Group 1 level with a brave performance in the Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22, but she did not handle the very heavy track in the T.J. Smith Stakes on Saturday.
Pride believes that the All Aged Stakes is an excellent race for Steps In Time, but said that the daughter of Danehill Dancer would not contest the race if the Royal Randwick track was still rated in the heavy range.
“I’m keen to go to the All Aged Stakes with her if we can get a slow track or better,” Pride said.
“I think you just have to forgive her that run, it was as heavy as you could get Randwick and she simply didn’t handle it.”
Pride is chasing his first win in the All Aged Stakes after finishing second with Rain Affair on two occasions, behind Atlantic Jewel in 2012 and All Too Hard in 2013, and missing the placings with Regal Cheer (fifth behind Paratroopers in 2006) and El Mirada (seventh behind Sunline in 2002).
