Trainer Mick Price openly admits to being a convert to the growing trend of preparing certain horses closer to their natural environment.
Price, who looks poised for a successful spring, maintains the more relaxed method of preparing selected horses away from the often regimented and repetitive life of a city training track has great merit.
This follows the thinking of so many other trainers, including Ballarat-based recent premiership-winning horseman Darren Weir who has dedicated an entire stable at Warrnambool, so that he can work horses at the beach rather than on the track.
Recently Price requested, and was granted, permission by Racing Victoria stewards to create a small base at the Coronet Bay property owned and run by one of the nation's most respected jumping trainers, Eric Musgrove.
Price says the vast rolling hills and tracks on the property - only half an hour from Cranbourne racecourse - would be ideal in helping to reinvent and refocus some members of his Caulfield string.
"You mention the likes of the set up that Darren Weir has, and that's what we are looking for here. It's not for all horses, but some looking for a change of life will thrive on it," Price said.
He said that while the property, valued at more than $3.5 million, had all the requirements a horse needed to get fit and at the same time enjoy the country training regime, it had within walking distance the jewel in its crown.
"At the end of a short walk up a dead end road you come to a beach, and that is one of its most outstanding features. A beach that will suit any horse," he said.
Price will prepare up to 12 horses at Coronet Bay.
"It's a wonderful spot. It's got lush green paddocks and well-constructed 2200-metre training tracks, and after the horses have done their training they can return to a grassy paddock to relax.
"It is similar to other operations, but I'll only keep 10 or 12 horses down there with Eric [Musgrove] overseeing their training. As well, I've sent full-time staff myself.
"I've told Racing Victoria what I plan to do and permission has been given for me to go ahead. It won't be a place I would send Lankan Rupee, he's very much racing in the metropolitan area, but it is another training dimension, especially for older staying horses to refocus," Price said.
"It's a state-of-the-art training facility and Eric's knowledge of the area will be invaluable for things like tides and the times of day the horses will go swimming."
On Saturday at Caulfield, Price will gain a greater insight into the spring prospects of his three-year-olds Moonovermanhattan, Cornrow, Jabali and Nordic Empire, who will all start in the $150,000 McNeil Stakes.
Price said Jabali, having his second start from a spell, would be ridden in a more "free flowing" way this week and expected the horse to relish being ridden on the pace.
