Boniface claims maiden Australian win in Premier's Cup

Boniface, expertly ridden as the perceived best horse in the field, finally rewarded the faith of his supporters with a victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Premier's Cup (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The imported French galloper had encountered considerable misfortune in his previous four starts on Australian soil, but accomplished jockey Tommy Berry piloted the gelding with confidence, proving too strong for his rivals.

Berry ensured no bad luck intervened by settling Boniface in second spot, trailing So You Are, a position they maintained for a significant portion of the race into the home straight.

However, Boniface seized control of the contest and triumphed with authority, suggesting he is a horse to watch throughout the spring carnival.

"We got the first half too easy and Rachel's (King, rider of So You Are) has got a beautiful knack of getting horses into a lovely rhythm, slipping you down the side and you can't get her back,'' Berry commented. "So, I just had to make sure I was close enough without trying to get to the front too early on my bloke.

"When they haven't won for a while, they lack a little bit of confidence and he needed that today, so I'm sure he'll go on with it now."

Berry, who was aboard Boniface for the first time, took the opportunity to commend the efforts of the gelding's former jockey, Tyler Schiller, in the Premier's Cup success.

"I've got to say, full credit to Tyler, who's ridden him at his last couple,'' Berry stated. "He obviously didn't get the ride today, but he came around and saw me and told me everything I needed to know about the horse. That just shows what a top bloke he is, and he'll obviously get his turn."

Boniface, the $2.45 favourite and trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior, outstayed the leader So You Are ($3.60) by a half-length, with Matusalem ($8) securing third place a short head further back.

Ben Elam, representing the Sydney stable of Price and Kent, described Boniface's commanding win as a clear indication of his burgeoning ability.

"We had to feel our way with him trying to get into this race,'' Elam said. "It's a race that always has some nice horses in it but it doesn't get a massive field every year so we thought he was a chance of getting a run.

"We got the run on Monday with nominations being a little bit skinny. He's trained on really well, we haven't done a lot with him as he's a highly strung horse, albeit he is relaxed.

"He puts a lot into his work so we don't do much galloping with him. He's a French import that we have had to 'unwind' a little bit.

"So, it was really good to see him relax outside the leader. I would like to see him with a bum in front of him so he can follow and be dragged into the race.

"He did a pretty good job and hit the line strongly so we are very pleased."

Elam confirmed that Boniface is "definitely a better chaser, for sure," adding further merit to his victory.

"But I said to Tommy I don't care where you land just get him to relax,'' Elam continued. "If he finds a rhythm he will give you that sharp turn of foot he has got and he can sustain the gallop.

"I know he didn't win by a big margin but I think you can say this horse has won by a margin that was respective of the run he had in transit."

The stable's representative also outlined potential future targets for Boniface, including the Group 2 $300,000 Kingston Town Stakes at Royal Randwick on September 12, and the Group 2 $2 million Hill Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on October 10.

Check out the latest racing odds for the Premier's Cup on leading online bookmakers.