The Mick Price and Michael Kent JnrĀ stable is bankingĀ on a return to Caulfield being a winning formula for Ayrton.
The six-year-old runs in the Listed John Dillon Stakes (1400m) at his favourite track on Friday.
Ayrton has raced at Caulfield on six occasions, registering five wins, four of which have been over Friday’s journey.
The only time Ayrton has faced defeat at Caulfield was in the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) on November 18 after whichĀ he headedĀ to Perth where heĀ finished 11thĀ to MunhamekĀ in the Group 3 Damien Oliver Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot on December 16.
“He had a luckless trip to Perth,” Kent Jnr said.
“He loves the 1400 metres at Caulfield where he is virtually unbeatenĀ but for a luckless run in the Sir Rupert Clarke last yearĀ and he seems to beĀ in good order for Friday’s contest.”
Jamie Kah, who has ridden Ayrton in three of his five Caulfield wins,Ā returns to the saddleĀ on Friday for the first time since running second to I Wish I WinĀ in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes at Sandown in September 2022.
Kent Jnr is looking forward to the debut of I Am Invincible colt Let’sfacethemusicĀ in the Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) for colts and geldings on Friday.
Let’sfacethemusicĀ had a jump-out on the inner Heath track at Caulfield on January 16 and Kent Jnr expects the main Caulfield track to suit the colt on Friday.
“He trialled quite well from an outside barrier and sat five deep,” Kent Jnr said.
“It looked to me the way theĀ four jump-outs played out, it was an advantage to be up near the lead and on the fence, but he still worked home nicely.
“We quite like him, so we’llĀ find out more on Friday.”
