Mick Price loses the gear to improve Odeum’s barrier manners for Dane Ripper Stakes

Mick Price is going back to basics with his Group 1 winning filly Odeum ahead of Saturday’s Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm, taking all the gear off in order to help her barrier manners.

The three-year-old flopped hopelessly out of the gates in the Group 1 Queen Of The Turf eight weeks ago with Price saying the addition of a visor “cooked” her before the race had even started.

Freshened up briefly, Odeum trialled impressively at the Gold Coast last week with only a barrier blanket used to calm her down pre-race.

“We have taken the visors off and all that wah wah and she trialled with a barrier blanket on the Gold Coast last week,” Price said.

“She was seven weeks between runs and her barrier manners in the (Queen Of The Turf) in Sydney were no good.

“She was beaten (the start prior) and (Michael) Walker went for the blinkers, I don’t think they were necessary. She ran really well behind Isotope and then we went for a visor – another scientific jockey proposal.

“That Written Tycoon breed can be a bit anxious as a rule and it cooked her in the barriers.”

Odeum and Michael Walker combined to win last year’s Thousand Guineas. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty ImagesSource:Getty Images

Targeting the Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) in a fortnight, Price said he expects Odeum to improve out of Saturday’s first-up run where she is a $7 chance with TAB.

She is set to meet the likes of Sweet Deal, Coventina Bay and Brooklyn Hustle in the race.

Having spent some time in Queensland already, Price said last week’s Gold Coast trial got Odeum to where she needed to be.

“She was deep in the trial and worked to the line very well, pulled up and had a solid blow over the back,” he said.

“I can’t get her any fitter without running her, I do think she will improve off this 1300m run and into the Tatt’s Tiara for her.

“We have a nice barrier blanket for her to give her some security, no blinkers this time so she will be fine.”

Originally published asGear off: Price keeps it simple with Odeum

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