Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are keen to keep the dual-nominated Boniface racing in Sydney this Saturday, provided the lightly raced galloper can secure a start in their preferred target race.
Currently sitting 16th in the order of entry for the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) at Randwick with a domestic rating of 81, the former French import faces a tough challenge to make the 13-horse field limit.
However, should the Northern Hemisphere four-year-old gain a start, Michael Kent Jnr is confident the horse is primed to perform at his best, particularly if conditions are favourable underfoot.
“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 stated.
“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 absence from racing before his Australian debut in May at Sandown Hillside, Kent Jnr noted that Boniface has adapted quickly, evidenced by two runner-up finishes in Benchmark 88 races leading up to this Saturday.
“He’s ready to win,” Kent Jnr confirmed.
“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.”
Looking for the best odds on the Premier’s Cup Prelude? Check out the latest Australian betting sites for competitive racing markets.
