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By Nick Berney

Trainer Joe Pride is keen to get a ‘1’ against Shalatin’s name and give the promising colt a confidence boost at Newcastle on Thursday.

Shalatin holds some lofty spring nominations but Prides first priority is shaking off that maiden in the Tab Venue Mode Plate (1200m).

The three-year-old, $2.50 with TAB on Wednesday competed against the best of his age last season and Pride is hoping for an improving surface to bring out his best first-up.

“I traditionally start my horses off in the lowest grade I can but, with him, he was a pretty exceptional talent and he’s ended up running in mainly Group races,” he said.

“So he hasn’t had an opportunity to break his maiden yet and, I think from a confidence point of view, it’s important he gets into the winner’s circle and there’s no better time to do that in a prep than first-up.

“He’s even eligible for a set weights maiden, so I thought it was best to kick him off with a one beside his name and give the horse a little bit of confidence and then I’m sure we will be back in Listed and Group races after that.”

In Shalatin’s short career he has amassed over $200K largely from placings in the $1 Million Golden Gift and the Group 2 Todman both won by Sejardan.

Pride is aware of the expectation on a horse of his profile going into a maiden for the first time but can only expect a good result.

“It’s strange, he’s been going to the races and running around for huge amounts of prizemoney now all of a sudden he’s going around in a maiden and there’s probably more pressure on him than the other races,” he said.

“I don’t know what he’s against but, if he runs up to what he’s capable of doing, I think it would take a pretty exceptional horse to beat him.”

The three-year-old has had two strong trials and Pride said he’s pleased with the way he’s coming up.

He’s reluctant to make firm plans for the Spring at this stage but if Shalatin suggests he’s looking for distance the colt could end up in the Group 1 $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

“I have the feeling he’s going to be a horse for over a little bit of ground, maybe a mile, possibly even further, so I thought 1200 was a nice starting point,” Pride said.

“I don’t have a main aim because I’m interested to see how he does come up, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he eventually made it to the Spring Champion this prep.

“He’s had a good seasoning for a horse his age. Normally my horses are lucky to have had a start by now. He had five starts against good company and he’s quite seasoned, toughened up, and ready for a good solid campaign.”

Shalatin runs fourth in a trial at Warwick Farm on August 5

Pride also has Penso A Lei entered in the Coastline Pools Handicap (1600m) and while he would prefer a drier surface he is also looking for a confidence boosting win for the mare.

The five-year-old was beaten six lengths at Eagle Farm but was never able to get into the race after getting back and striking trouble in the straight.

“She’s been another one that hasn’t enjoyed the wet tracks, and I took her up to Queensland to get a dry track and she ran really well without any luck at all,” he said.

“She desperately needs a win and some confidence, so hopefully we can do that with two of them on Thursday.”

All the fields, form and replays for Thursday’s Newcastle meeting