Caulfield Heath set for three-pronged attack from Price and Kent Jnr stable
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr training partnership is preparing a strong three-way challenge for a three-year-old race at Caulfield Heath.
The promising trio of Brazen Dechambeau, Commit, and Dustee are set to clash in The Vally @ Caulfield Handicap, a 1200-metre sprint on Saturday.
Each of these gallopers enters the second week of the new racing season having already competed, and Price is optimistic about their potential to progress beyond Saturday metropolitan class.
The trainer stated that he would gain a clearer understanding of their capabilities, particularly regarding Stakes company, after Saturday's performance.
Brazen Dechambeau is now entering his third racing preparation.
He achieved a midfield finish on his debut at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day last year, followed by a spell, and then returned to win at Pakenham in early January.
After being spelled, Brazen Dechambeau finished fifth over 1100 metres at Caulfield on July 25, with Price suggesting the step up in distance will be beneficial on Saturday.
"He's a good horse and he wants every inch of 1200 metres," Price said. "He needed the run the other day and I think there will be good improvement."
Commit is heading into Saturday's race for the third start of his campaign.
He triumphed over his stablemate Dustee at Sale on June 28, prior to finishing third behind the highly regarded American Eagle at Sandown on July 15.
American Eagle, who has had only the one start, is listed among the nominations for the Cox Plate for the Anthony and Sam Freedman stable.
Price is hoping Commit can secure a more forward position in Saturday's race, having been slow out of the gates at Sandown.
"That was not my preferred option to be out the back on him, but he was a little bit slow away and he gave away a good start," Price commented. "He was very good late and he's capable of being a nice, metropolitan Saturday horse. He's pretty cherry ripe."
Price indicated that Dustee has matured with racing and additional training, characterising the gelding as 'tough'.
Dustee was unable to make an impact in his campaign opener at Bendigo but has since secured a second-place finish at Sale before his maiden victory at Seymour.
"Alana Kelly rode him at Bendigo," Price explained. "He went around very green, like he was switched off, for whatever reason, so I put the blinkers on him, did some genuine solid work with him and that turned him. He'll show up. He worked good on Saturday morning."
The competitive field for The Vally @ Caulfield Handicap is expected to offer exciting racing betting markets.
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