Tavisan set for small steps at The Valley

Recently gelded Tavisan will be given the chance to improve his rating before tackling stakes class.

While most trainers are eyeing off big spring purses, Mick Price is prepared to pick off a few of the minor ones with Tavisan.

As a three-year-old last year, Tavisan was placed three times in stakes company before running last in the Caulfield Guineas.

Tavisan returned in the autumn but after one run, when last at Caulfield, he was spelled and gelded.

With no concerns about Tavison’s future as a stallion, Price is looking to maximise his earning capabilities.

Tavisan, who has a handicap rating of 80, races for the third time as a gelding in Saturday’s Ranvet Handicap (1200m) having registered a win and a third from his past two outings.

“He needs to improve his rating a fair bit to get to better races,” Price said.

“He was in a benchmark 84 the other day, which was the ideal race for him, but he didn’t blast away and beat them.

“There’s $140,000 for Listed races and $125,000 for a benchmark 90 on Saturday and for a horse like him it’s not much point harming his rating if you don’t have to.

“We’ll place him to maximise his earning potential and see how we go.”

Price, who trains in partnership with Mick Kent Jr, said Tavisan had a good chance on Saturday but conceded the dangers were Usain Bowler and Terbium.

“I would say six of the seven horses drawn inside us want a mile, so it will be interesting to see how he (Ben Melham) rides him,” Price said.

“He could only get to midfield last start but I think he’ll go forward on Saturday and get a nice run.”

Former Irish galloper Yulong Minister makes his Australian debut in the race and Price said he would learn more about the four-year-old from the run.

“He’s not a big horse and trialled OK, without trialling impressively,” Price said.

“I expect that he might be running on and give a bit of cheek and run in the first five, but on his trial I wouldn’t have thought he’d be going there with a red-hot chance.”