Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are already eyeing another Group 1 prize for imported sprinter A Case Of You rather than his immediate contest at that level.
A Case Of You is scheduled to run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday, but it is the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm in a fortnight that Kent Jnr says will be the sprinters opportunity to get on the board in Australia.
Kent Jnr has all-but conceded Saturday’s Doomben 10,000 to rising sprint sensation Giga Kick, especially with A Case Of You out in barrier nine in the 10-horse field.
Giga Kick has gate four while that sprinter’s main rival Aft Cabin has drawn next to him in gate three.
“He can’t seem to draw a barrier,” Kent Jnr said of A Case Of You.
“He’ll have to go back again and it’s a much tougher race than last time and of course, with Giga Kick and Aft Cabin, two of the big guns, have drawn plum barriers four and three respectively.
“Doomben is a tight track, and that barrier is even more of a disadvantage, but there should be plenty of pace on.
“Three like to go forward and run pretty quickly, so we’ll just have to go back and ride him to see him run on.”
A seven-time winner in Europe and Dubai, Irish-bred A Case Of You has had two starts in Australia.
He flashed home for fifth in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley in March before another poor barrier saw him ridden back in the field when sixth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on April 29.
Kent Jnr is expecting a return to Eagle Farm on May 27 will see the best from A Case Of You.
“I think the next race will be his race,” Kent Jnr said.
“The Kingsford Smith Cup in two weeks, back to Eagle Farm, the 1300 metres will suit, and surely at his fourth start in Australia he can draw a barrier.
“He’s really thrived between runs with two grass gallop and is bouncing out of skin.
“I think he’ll run really well on Saturday, but he’s up against Giga Kick who is a world class horse.”
