Change of plans for Upstart Pride

The speedy Upstart Pride will run at Doomben after a change of plans was forced on trainer Michael Nolan.

Upstart Pride will tackle the Listed Queensland Lightning (1050m) after Nolan originally had a race at Eagle Farm on Saturday week picked out for him.

But Upstart Pride missed a run at Eagle Farm last Saturday and Nolan decided to switch course to the Lightning.

At his last start Upstart Pride showed plenty of pace to be joint leader with eventual winner Redzel for much of the Group One Doomben 10,000 on May 13.

He dropped out in the straight to finish 11th but still pleased Nolan.

“It was aiming a bit high with him but his owners were keen to give him his chance,” Nolan said.

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“He wasn’t disgraced and he needed to have a run. There wasn’t much else around for him.”

Nolan had intended to run Upstart Pride in a 1200m-race last week at Eagle Farm.

“We had intended to use (apprentice) Rebecca Williams’ two kilo claim but she was injured at trackwork and we couldn’t find a suitable replacement,” Nolan said.

“Also when the track was heavy we decided it would be best to wait a week.The 1000 metres and the quality conditions of the Lightning should help him.”

Toowoomba-based Williams will be out for several weeks after she was kicked in the shin by a horse.

Blake Shinn will ride Upstart Pride on Saturday, 24 hours before he leaves for a stint in the United States.