Sydney trainer Joe Pride, a master of timing when it comes to using blinkers on his horses, is playing down their importance to Tattersalls Club Cup favourite Destiny's Kiss at Randwick today.
One of the hard-luck stories of Sydney racing over the past month, Destiny's Kiss is a confirmed starterin the listed race as he sports blinkers for the first time.
"It's probably neither here nor there because he's been wearing winkers so it's only a slight adjustment," Pride said yesterday.
"But it's a matter of trying to extract everything out of him."
The winner of two races in his first campaign for Pride during the winter, Destiny's Kiss found trouble when midfield in the Villiers Stakes.
He started a well-tried favourite to make amends in the Summer Cup last Thursday but was left with too much ground to make up before finishing in the minor placing.
"I thought his run was excellent in the Summer Cup," Pride said. "He couldn't have done much more.
"He deserves a win in this grade at least and let's hope he can get it."
Because Pride was uncertain if Destiny's Kiss would back up from the Summer Cup, he has had to call on a new jockey for the 5-year-old.
Peter Robl, whose summer run of form includes winning the Villiers Stakes on Ninth Legion, takes over from Christian Reith, who will ride Secessio for Chris Waller.
"The horse has done everything I wanted to see him do," Pride said, "and I'm happy to see him take his place."
