Mick Price with strong hand at Caulfield

Friday 2 May 2014, 3:24pm

Markets suggest Pressing is clearly a better chance than Manhattan Avenue at Caulfield on Saturday but trainer Mick Price says it is hard to split the stablemates.

Debut winner Pressing is the $3.30 favourite for the Listed Sky High Mt Dandenong Stakes for two-year-olds while Manhattan Avenue is at $11 with the TAB after being as much as $21 during the week.

"There's actually not a lot between my two even though the market will say there is a fair bit between them," Price said.

While it would not surprise Price if Manhattan Avenue upset the favourites, the trainer is leaning to Pressing as the best chance in the 1200m race.

"I'd have to go for Pressing because I'm pretty confident he's still on the way up whereas the other horse is going to be a better three-year-old," he said.

"If I had to split them I would go Pressing, I guess."

Pressing finished strongly from back in the field to beat Petrology on debut over the Caulfield 1200 metres three weeks ago and Price hopes with race experience under his belt he will travel better this time.

"It's a bit concerning how off the bridle he gets, especially in the first half of the race," he said.

"I'm hoping that because he's had the benefit of a run he can hold a more forward position.

"He'll be strong at the end of 1200 (metres) and I don't think he'll get as far back as he was at his first start."

Manhattan Avenue was chased down by Darley colt Farolitos on debut at Mornington after getting fired up early and going to the front which Price said wasn't the intention.

Farolitos is equal favourite for the Evergreen Turf Claret Stakes (1300m) at Hawkesbury on Saturday.

"He (Manhattan Avenue) will disappoint me if he doesn't run in the first three. If he doesn't he'll be going to the paddock," Price said.

Price is well placed to land a Listed race double on his home track with Dany The Fox favourite to bounce back in the Thoroughbred Club Cup (1440m) after a disappointing last-start fifth over 1400m at Flemington behind Spacecraft.

On that occasion he had only two weeks between starts and Price said the month between runs this time suits the gelding.

"He's lovely and fresh and I think you'll see a very good performance from Dany The Fox tomorrow," he said.

– AAP

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