The Idyllic Prince Stakes (1300m) at Belmont on Saturday is race that trainer Jim Taylor would dearly love to win.
Taylor gets his opportunity with classy mare Searchin’ Roc’s, who resumes and has been backed into favouritism.
The $125,000 Listed event was rebranded in celebration of one of Taylor’s best and favourite horses, Idyllic Prince.
Taylor had top liners in Barakey, Hay List and Magnifisio, but for toughness and durability, Idyllic Prince would sit close to the top of the tree.
If not for feet issues that plagued him throughout most of his career, an eastern states campaign would certainly have beckoned for Idyllic Prince.
After finishing towards the rear on debut, the Scenic gelding progressed to amass 15 wins and 14 placings from 45 races with stake earnings a touch over a million dollars.
His impressive haul of wins included the Group 2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1200m) twice and the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m).
Idyllic Prince also excelled in the Goodwood Sprint, a race he won on four consecutive occasions between 2009 and 2012 and had renamed in his honour in 2016.
“I’ve won it a few times as the Goodwood, but never as the Idyllic Prince Stakes,” Taylor said to Racing WA.
“He was such a courageous horse and a family favourite for sure.”
Searchin’ Roc’s has shown similar qualities and attributes as Idyllic Prince.
Described by Taylor as the toughest mare he’s trained; she fought back from a bout of colic that required surgery last year.
Since teaming up with Taylor, she’s won the Group 3 Peters Stakes (1500m) and the Listed Farnley Stakes (1400m).
The six-year-old, who races well fresh and loves the wet going, has not been seen since a cameo campaign in May and June when placed in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) and Hyperion Stakes (1600m) respectively.
Taylor said Searchin’ Roc’s is primed for her first-up assault.
“She’s been set for this since her last start,” Taylor said.
“She had three weeks off and has had plenty of gallops.
“She loves the rain and goes well fresh.
“I think weight-for-age is her go now.
“Apart from the Railway she’ll go to weight-for-age races.
“We used to do the same with Idyllic Prince all the time.
“You don’t race that much, but if you just have them ready for weight-for-age races, it’s the only way to beat the handicapper.”
Searchin’ Roc’s has displaced last year’s Idyllic Prince Stakes winner, Valour Road, for favouritism, tightening from $4.60 into $3 with betting apps.
Valour Road got out to as much as $4.40, but is back into $3.30. Saloon Bar is $4.60 and Vast Art $7.50 with bookmakers.
Searchin’ Roc’s jumps from barrier three with Steven Parnham booked for the ride.
In four attempts on soft ground Searchin’ Roc’s has two wins and two placings. On the heavy she is unbeaten, two from two.