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By Ray Hickson

From the moment Estadio Mestalla finished second in the South Grafton Cup back in July his trainer Joe Pride has been single minded about targeting Tuesday’s $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) at Randwick.

He elected not to send the six-year-old around in any other Big Dance eligible races, to elevate his place in the ballot order, knowing he’d be well placed chasing the ‘little’ fish in the consolation.

And after two runs back from a break, Pride said things couldn’t have worked out better for Estadio Mestalla to produce his best.

Trainer Joe Pride (Pic: Bradley Photos)

“This is the race I’ve set him for the whole way through and it’s a nice race for him,’’ Pride said.

“He’s had a couple of nice runs leading into this. A mile is his pet trip and I love the fact he’s drawn a bit soft, it gives him the opportunity to race on the speed.

“We’ve got a big tail in this race, and maybe a few leading chances that could have a spot in the other race but I’m happy to think he’s one of the major players.”

Estadio Mestalla, $5 with TAB on Monday, has won once for Pride since he was purchased out of the Chris Waller yard but he’s been a model of consistency with another five seconds and four fourths from 11 starts for the stable.

What was noticeable in his last start fourth behind Willaidow over 1400m on Everest Day was a flat spot he hit early in the straight that might have cost him victory.

He rallied after appearing to be dropping out to be surging into fourth spot beaten three-quarters of a length. He drops 2.5kg and draws to be ridden to his strengths.

“That’s always been him, he’s got no real dash about him but when you get him up to a mile, his right trip, he can flow along at a good tempo and take control,’’ Pride said.

“Not necessarily lead but take a position to finish the race off.”

Dragonstone reappears after a minor injury forced Pride to pause his spring campaign following a gallant fourth in the Group 2 Shorts (1100m) six weeks ago.

The gelding will appreciate a class drop in the Precise Air Choisir Handicap (1100m), where he has 61kg, and an easy trial last week showed Pride he was back on track.

“He had an issue with his foot so it was an enforced little let up,’’ he said.

“He trialled well the other day and he’s good, he’ll run a good race.”

Of his other runners at Randwick, Pride said he expects King Of The Castle to perform strongly second-up in the All Occasion Cruises Handicap (1500m) after finishing alongside Estadio Mestalla fresh.

All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday’s Big Dance meeting at Randwick