Third time lucky for Boniface in Randwick handicap

After two outings for new trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, former European galloper Boniface is primed to add to his win count.

This is contingent on the gelding navigating what Kent Jnr described as a 'sticky draw' in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Randwick this Saturday.

Boniface achieved three wins from his five starts in France prior to his transfer to Australia, finding a new home with Price and Kent Jnr at Cranbourne.

Following an initial campaign late last year, where Boniface reached the trialling stage, the four-year-old was gelded and sent for another break.

He returned to racing with a promising fifth over 1600m at Sandown in May, before securing second place last start over 1800m at Randwick on June 20.

Kent Jnr indicated that Boniface has progressed well since that run and completed a encouraging gallop on Tuesday, instilling confidence in the stable for Saturday's race.

However, securing gate 14 from a 15-horse field was not ideal, although he will move to barrier 10 should the four emergencies fail to gain a start.

"He was good first-up and he was excellent second-up, so he's doing a great job in his first Australian preparation," Kent Jnr conveyed.

"He's drawn sticky on Saturday, but off his work on Tuesday, he's showing that he's going very well."

"It's a sticky draw because he's a bit exuberant. We would prefer to be covered up, but you could roll forward but you could undo all the good work by giving him the wrong message and light him up, or you could snag back to last and have too much to do."

"We're also not sure about him on a real heavy track. He's trialled well in the heavy, but I like the horse and he's going great."

"If he takes natural improvement from his last start, he will be right in the finish."

Tyler Schiller, who partnered Boniface in his most recent start, retains the ride on Saturday.

Explore the leading online bookmakers for the upcoming Randwick races.