Pride In The Name Of Regal Cheer For Premiere Event

Illawarra Mercury

Friday August 18, 2006

By CHRIS ROOTS

JOSEPH Pride believes the lack of any real speed makes tomorrow's Group Two Bankstown Sports Club Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill a lottery with his four-year-old mare Regal Cheer a central character.

Regal Cheer is one of eight horses resuming in the 10-horse field and without a sprinter of note in the line-up, Pride questioned who would actually lead the race.

"It worries me the lack of pace in this field because I think they might look to (Regal Cheer)," Pride said. "It's not how we want to ride her.

"I want her to take a sit like she did in her last preparation because I think that's how she races best."

Pride pointed out no one will look to TAB Sportsbet favourite Paratroopers ($2.50) to lead.

"Paratroopers will be looking to do the same thing we want to do (take a sit), so it could be very interesting," Pride said.

"I think Fumble is probably the horse which holds the key to the race but I don't think they would want to lead either.

"We are going to play our cards close to our chest from out there (in barrier 10) and we might surprise a few people with what we do."

Regal Cheer is a $3.60 second pick after impressive barrier trialling, while Mnemosyne and The Free Stater are rated $9 chances as they begin their spring campaigns.

Pride is delighted with the way his Coolmore Classic winner has returned from a spell and stated she will test over a mile during this campaign.

Regal Cheer will target Group Ones like the Epsom (1600m) at Randwick on October 7 and the Myer Classic (1600m) for fillies and mares at Flemington on November 4.

"She's come back more mature and a lot stronger," Pride said. "She's very tough and it will be a seven or eight-run campaign and she's definitely going to head south."

© 2006 Illawarra Mercury

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