BRETT Cavanough admits his skills as a horseman have been tested as he prepares Prince Pedro for a first-up assault on the $50,000 Enpower Solutions City Hcp (1400m) at Albury today.
The leading local trainer and former world champion shearer has added equine juggler to his repertoire.
Prince Pedro, a four-year-old gelding by Show A Heart, suffers from a slight tear in his tendon.
“It’s a bit of a juggling act with him,” Cavanough said.
“He’s had a niggling injury with a tear in the tendon. It’s annoying. It comes and goes.
“I’ve just got to live with it, treat it and maintain it.”
The tendon problem hasn’t affected the gelding’s galloping ability, but has hampered his ability to train.
Prince Pedro, raced on lease by Cavanough and his wife from the late Joan Leslie, has recorded seven wins and three placings from 15 starts, four coming over 1400 metres, a distance Cavanough described as “his pet trip”.
Prince Pedro, a Caulfield winner as a three-year-old, hasn’t raced since his 2.5-length fourth to Lebrechaun in the 1400-metre Snake Gully Cup at Gundagai which followed a first-up win over 1175 metres at Albury on November 8.
“Last preparation was sort of interrupted. He was feeling his tendon,” Cavanough said.
“We grabbed a cheap win at Albury.
“He’s pretty wound up, forward for Thursday. I’ve given him a couple of quiet jump-outs.
“He’s had a similar preparation to Niblick.”
Cavanough has elected to fit Prince Pedro with a tongue-tie.
“He’s been doing a few silly things in his races.
“He’s got a tongue-tie and the best hands in the business,” he added in reference to jockey Matthew Cahill.