Premier's Cup Prelude target for Boniface on better ground
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's preference is to see the dual-nominated Boniface compete in Sydney this Saturday, contingent on the lightly raced galloper securing a spot in their primary race selection.
With a current domestic rating of 81, Boniface is positioned 16th in the order of entry for the Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick, which has a field cap of 13 runners.
Should the Northern Hemisphere four-year-old successfully gain a start, Michael Kent Jnr expressed confidence in the horse's readiness to display his best form, particularly if presented with firmer racing conditions.
"He's more likely going to be racing in Sydney in the Premier's Cup Prelude and then hopefully onto the Premier's Cup," Kent Jnr explained.
"I hope he gets a run but you never quite know with a low rating, and we always just hedge our bets.
"It's a free nomination in Melbourne, you can easily travel down here if you have to. But if we could get a run in Sydney, that would be the go.
"I was up there during the week, it's fine and sunny, and it's fine and sunny all week, which will be very different to last start where he was on a heavy 25 at Randwick so he won't know himself."
Despite a near year-long layoff before his local debut at Sandown Hillside in May, Kent Jnr highlighted the horse's rapid acclimatisation, noting two second-place finishes in Benchmark 88 events leading into the weekend's engagement.
"He's ready to win," Kent Jnr declared.
"I would say he has hit the ground running much faster than a lot of imports, he's taken to life in Australia quite well.
"Importantly he's got to turn a foot for a horse that wants to get over 2,000 metres. It was a very good run at Sandown, and then he's run two excellent seconds in Sydney running on both times.
"The only trick with him, he wants to be a little bit keen in running, so it's just about switching him off and then letting him rip home.
"Tyler Schiller sticks, down the weights, and it'll be a nice race for him."
Explore the betting sites and discover the best racing odds for the Premier's Cup Prelude.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...