Lightly raced three-year-old Amenable has an important date on Saturday that could set up his career as a racehorse and his future as a stallion.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr -trained colt contests the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) which the trainers hope will earn Amenable a start in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 8.
Amenable has had only the two starts to date, scoring a debut win over 1300m at Sandown in March before resuming with a closing fourth over 1200m at Moonee Valley on September 3.
Price said Saturday’s outing was an important race for Amenable with the colt requiring a first three finish to earn a start in the Caulfield Guineas.
And a win in the Caulfield Guineas would emulate his sire Lonhro who took out the stallion making race in 2001.
Price said there was some similarities between Amenable and Lonhro, although by the time Lonhro raced in the Guineas he was lining up for his ninth start and was already a multiple stakes race winner.
“Amenable is inexperienced but he’s got a temperament like his dad,” Price said.
“He’s a cool colt and he’s grown into a really nice horse so I wouldn’t underestimate him on Saturday.”
Damien Oliver takes over in the saddle on Saturday from Patrick Moloney who has ridden the colt at his only two starts.
Price expects Oliver to ride Amenable in a similar style to how he was ridden at his two previous starts, sitting off the speed and closing late.
“Ollie will probably ride him with a sense of timing, as he does, and you’ll see him closing off really well,” Price said.
“I like the horse a lot. He’s Caulfield Guineas bound, so it is an important race for him on Saturday.
“We need him to run home strongly, get in the first three and then get a run in the Caulfield Guineas.”
