Prince Harada returns in McNeil Stakes

Sunday 25 August 2013, 2:04pm

Unbeaten colt Prince Harada has been joined at the top of Caulfield Guineas betting but gets the chance to re-assert his favouritism when he returns in the McNeil Stakes on Saturday.

The Tony Vasil-trained colt was outright Guineas favourite on the strength of his two off-season wins but the impressive victory of Cauthen at Moonee Valley on Saturday elevated the New Zealand colt to equal favouritism.

Vasil makes no secret of how highly he rates Prince Harada, and that hasn't changed as he prepares the colt for his first appearance as a three-year-old.

"I think he's a very, very exciting horse," Vasil said.

Prince Harada will have a jump-out at Sandown on Tuesday with Vasil keen for the colt to have the barrier practice more than a solid hit-out.

In the Group Three McNeil (1200m) he will face Blue Diamond Stakes winner Miracles Of Life and the runner-up from that race, Fast 'n' Rocking.

Fast 'n' Rocking was the eye-catching runner in the Vain Stakes on August 17 when he flashed home for a narrow second after being held up in the straight.

Vasil has labelled Prince Harada potentially one of the best horses he's trained and said if anything, the colt is more focused now.

The son of Haradasun has been nominated "for everything" - Caulfield Guineas, Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup - but Vasil said the Guineas was the focus.

"I threw him in everything but his main goal is the Caulfield Guineas, and beyond that he'll tell me," he said.

Vasil trained a winner at Moonee Valley on Saturday and was also there to see Cauthen strut his stuff.

While impressed by the Guineas-bound colt, Vasil felt another spring feature looked an ideal target for the Andrew Campbell-trained runner and said whether he would be a main Guineas rival for Prince Harada would be shown at a later date.

"First impressions with horses are usually right, and the way I look at that horse, he looks like an ideal Derby horse. That's what he impressed me as," Vasil said.

"He's a big, long-striding horse, obviously a talent.

"He's a quality horse, no question, but we don't have to clash with him next week. So the question will be answered further down the track."

– AAP

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