Racing: Prince takes on the stars in Memsie

Photo / Thinkstock

The races are getting harder but Jason Clifford refuses to shy away from the challenge with underrated galloper Prince Obama.

The 5-year-old has always impressed the Geelong trainer and when he threw him in the deep end last start in the Lawrence Stakes he almost pulled off a major upset.

Coming off a Country Showcase win over 1200m at Warrnambool when second-up on a heavy track on July 31, he was sent out at 100-1 in the 1400m weight-for-age feature.

Not only did he finish third and within a length of heavyweights Whobegotyou and Lights Of Heaven, he could have backed up the following week so well did he pull up from the race.

"He's a pretty good horse," Clifford said. "I thought he would run all right in that stronger race."

With his assessment of the horse confirmed and his rating rocketing from 76 to 89 on the strength of his Lawrence run, the bar is raised again for Prince Obama in the group two Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield today.

Whobegotyou and Lights of Heaven won't be there but there are still a galaxy of stars to contend with.

Dual group one winner Heart Of Dreams resumes, as do cup horses Precedence, Linton, Herculian Prince, Red Colossus, Shamrocker, Absolutely and Peter Moody's recent acquisition King's Rose, who is a multiple group winner in New Zealand.

King's Rose's Caulfield Guineas-winning stablemate Anacheeva and other cup-bound horses Rekindled Interest, who ran so well first-up in the Aurie's Star Handicap, Midas Touch and Anudjawun comprise the weight-for-age field.

One fact Clifford knows is that Prince Obama, who has won four of his 12 starts, will give his best, no matter the opposition. "He has never run out the first three in his life," he said.

Prince Obama is not nominated for any of the cups or the Cox Plate but his connections are enjoying the ride wherever it may take them.

- AAP