Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Jnr have had a number of European middle distance and staying horses through their stable, but they will unveil a sprinter in a Group 1 race at Moonee Valley.
Irish-bred entire A Case Of You is set for his Australian debut in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Friday night and comes into the care of Price and Kent Jnr as a two-time Group 1 winner.
A Case Of You won the Prix de LâAbbaye (1000m) at the âArc meeting at Longchamp in October 2021 and followed up last March claiming the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night.
Price and Kent Jnr have been tasked with winning a Group 1 race in Australia with the ownerâs hope of finding a good home for the sprinter to stand at stud.
After winning the Al Quoz Sprint, A Case Of You ran third in Group 2 company in Ireland before losing his way, finishing down the track at Royal Ascot and The Curragh before a second tilt at the Prix de LâAbbaye in his last three European outings.
And to make his task tougher ahead of his Australian debut, A Case Of You was required to go through quarantine at Mickleham where he was boxed for two weeks before heading to the Cranbourne stables of Price and Kent Jnr.
Kent Jnr said A Case Of You was a little âsourâ when he first arrived at Cranbourne, but the five-year-old has since adapted well to his new surrounds.
âHe was a bit sour when he came out of quarantine, but heâs lovely horse to deal with now and heâs really loving our work,â Kent Jnr said.
Iâm hoping for the best on Friday night.â
Kent Jnr said it will be intriguing to see how he lines up against the quality Australian sprinters.
âThe key is him getting back to his best form. His best form is capable of winning a race like this,â Kent Jnr said.
âWhether we see that at his first run in Australia out of quarantine needs to be seen.
âHe had nice form overseas. Two Group 1 wins in two different countries, so if he can win a Group 1 down here, hopefully there will be a few studs looking at him.â
A Case Of You has had three jump-outs at Cranbourne to prepare for Friday nightâs hit-out in which he will be ridden by Mark Zahra.
On Zahraâs advice, A Case Of You will wear blinkers in the William Reid Stakes.
âHe didnât over-race (in blinkers) and he seemed to travel a bit sweeter, and Mark felt if he had of pushed him, he would have won the trial,â Kent Jnr said.
âHeâs here to win Group 1âs, so weâll try to switch him on.â