Pride pinning hopes on first-up repeat from versatile veteran

Trainer Joe Pride is hopeful that veteran gelding Estadio Mestalla can replicate his first-up success from last spring when he contests the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m) under top weight and from a wide gate draw. The seven-year-old, who won the Choisir Handicap last November carrying 63kg, will again be ridden by Adam Hyeronimus after a campaign that included multiple stakes-level placings. Pride views the race as a lead-up to a potential start in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, while also preparing other stable runners for upcoming features and sales.