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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Joe Pride says it’s a privilege to be sending out his first runner for Godolphin when Kerguelen makes his stable debut at Randwick on Saturday but he has high hopes for some names we’re not so familiar with yet.

Trainer Joe Pride (Pic: Bradley Photos).

Pride was one of nine trainers to receive horses from Godolphin when James Cummings finished his tenure last month with Group 1 winner Golden Mile and promising colt Comedy among those to join his team.

But it’s some unraced new season three-year-olds that have him anticipating what lies ahead in the next 12 months.

“I got some nice horses, I don’t think I’ve missed out at all,’’ Pride said.

“The best two three-year-olds they gave me, while they are unraced, they have got a high opinion of.

“Attica trials on Friday, he’s by Lonhro out of Savatiano, and they gave me a filly called Taxation. They have trialled up very well and are quality horses.

“I’d be very surprised if they’re not serious group horses.”

Kerguelen has been a little maligned by punters since his first-up win at the end of May but Pride said he’ll be in his comfort zone in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m) and have his chance to get back on top.

That’s due to his affinity with heavy ground on which all three career wins have come and he brings solid form into the race with his last start second behind subsequent Group 3 winner King Of Roseau.

Pride said the five-year-old, $3.30 with TAB on Friday, has settled in well to his stable and given he’s already well into his preparation not a lot of work has been required.

“I’m more than happy to run him because he’s really good on the heavy,’’ he said.

“He’s been here a couple of weeks and has done everything I could want him to do.

“We’ve inherited a fit horse, I haven’t had to do much with him. He’s had a coupe of gallops and has gone well in them so I’m happy to take him to the races.”

Given the gelding’s heavy track prowess and being a new horse to the stable, Pride said he’ll default to jockey Nash Rawiller, who has ridden the horse previously, over how he should be ridden.

“When you’re talking about a wet track like this you really shouldn’t give instructions,’’ he said.

“It’s up to jockeys to decide how well they are travelling. A bloke with Nash’s experience, gates open you go for it Nash and do what you need to do on the horse.”

A key gear change, particularly when Pride uses it, goes on Elle Hudson when he wears blinkers in the TAB Handicap (2400m) and the trainer is adamant they’ll switch the gelding on.

The grey has been placed in two of his four runs this time in and it was after his last start third at Warwick Farm that Pride elected to call for the shades.

“Every now and again I get a feeling the blinkers will go particularly well on a horse and if he isn’t a candidate I don’t think I’ve had one,’’ he said.

“I think they will work a treat.

“Two times I thought he was going to win the race the other day. I thought he was going to win on the corner and I thought he was going to win at the 200m.

“I don’t think he gave everything he had in both instances so that’s where I think the gear change will be positive.”

Stablemate Investment caused a boilover when she won at $51 two weeks ago over 1800m though Pride understands why she might be overlooked stepping up to the 2400m now.

“It doesn’t bother me with her, she’s very dour and she’s had enough runs in,’’ he said.

Kerguelen runs second at Rosehill on July 19

“She’ll still start a price. Punters don’t like those sort of horses when they miss a price like that, they don’t want to be on at $10 next start.”

Meanwhile, Pride elected to trial Private Eye at Warwick Farm on Friday instead of risking him on what's likely to be a very heavy track in the Missile Stakes.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting