The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable have high hopes for Phillip Island who is set to make his debut in a rich race at Caulfield.
The $1m The Showdown (1200m) will see the debut of Port Phillip who remains in the Golden Slipper at Rosehill next week but is unlikely to head there.
Kent Jnr said the stable has high expectations for Phillip Island after a successful start to the two-year-old season with their babies.
Big Sky, Guest House and Brazen Dechambeau rate highly among the two-year-olds to go through the Price and Kent Jnr system this season and Kent Jnr said Port Phillip was not far behind.
“Every year we have around 80 two-year-olds that go through the system and as trainers you can rank them in a pecking order,” Kent Jnr said.
“When your so-called top three don’t fire in certain years, you are concerned about the rest, but when your so-called top three start winning races and showing they’re amongst the best in the country, that gives you confidence about the horses just below that top tier.
“This colt is in that category we think and I’m looking forward to him stepping out.”
Phillip Island heads to Saturday’s race off one trial this preparation, winning at Caulfield Heath under Craig Williams last month.
With Williams riding in Sydney, Jamie Melham takes the ride on Saturday.
“We’re going in off one trial, but he trialled really well, and he arguably trialled just as well, or if not better, than Buggsy that won (at Sandown) on Wednesday,” Kent Jnr said.
“Craig Williams really liked him and we’re under no illusions that it’s a hard test.
“He is a highly strung horse and we’re asking a lot of him to get it right, but there are only three winners in the race and a number of debutants, like us.
“The test may be running out a strong 1200 (metres) off one trial, but the upside of the prize money, in a restricted race, was a huge carrot to have a go at and it would be no surprise to see him run really well.
“He’s a nice colt.”
