While the starting gate presents a challenge, Michael Kent Jnr is optimistic that Biancelli will deliver a much-improved performance at Caulfield this Saturday.
The once highly-touted filly is set to contest the $130,000 Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives F&M BM84 Handicap (1100m), seeking her first victory in over a year.
Biancelli, a daughter of Cosmic Force, is second-up following a third-place finish over 1050 metres in Adelaide on May 30, carrying 57.5kg. This was her first outing since a fourth in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong on January 3.
Despite facing the second-widest draw in a field reduced to 12 runners after the early withdrawal of Grassmere Diamond, Kent is pleased with the mare’s slight increase in distance and reduction in weight.
The mare, raced by Flying Star Syndications, maintained her fitness with a winning 800m jumpout at Cranbourne on June 15, where she was handled with ease.
“She gave way for race fitness first-up, she’s four weeks fitter now and had a tick-over trial between that went well,” Kent, who trains alongside Mick Price, commented.
“There are a few positives for Saturday. She’s going to present much fitter, I think 1100 is a nice journey for her and she’s going to drop in weight.
“We’re hopeful more than confident, but I think she’ll run a much better race than she did first up.”
The Black Pearl Stakes marked the first occasion Biancelli finished outside the placings, having recorded three consecutive wins to commence her career. Her last win was the third of those victories, a benchmark 64 event for three-year-olds at Caulfield Heath on May 7 last year.
She has since competed in only four more races, including two close second-place finishes in Saturday grade at the start of her previous campaign, and Kent remains optimistic about her future winning potential.
“She’s had a couple of little niggles and we’ve given her time, but I think she’s still a mare on the up,” he stated.
Beau Mertens is scheduled to ride Biancelli, who is currently contending with Delicate Lady and Takeko for favouritism behind the clear top pick, Next Stop Iowa.
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