Trainers out to topple Giga Kick in The Goodwood

Michael Kent Jnr acknowledges the significant challenge ahead for his stable in Saturday’s Group 1 Goodwood, with the betting market highlighting just how tough the task will be.

Kent Jnr and co-trainer Mick Price will saddle up Charm Stone and Reserve Bank, the winners of the feature 1200-metre sprints at Morphettville on April 26. Charm Stone took out the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes, while Reserve Bank triumphed in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze Stakes for three-year-olds.

“The Goodwood is not going to be easy being up against Giga Kick. He’s at even money and the next best is our pair at $9 with betting sites. He brings the best form to the race and he’s in well on the weights and he’s going very well,” Kent Jnr said.

Riding changes will see Ben Melham aboard Charm Stone in place of Mark Zahra, who rides Giga Kick, while Jamie Mott replaces Blake Shinn on Reserve Bank due to Shinn’s Brisbane commitments.

Mick Price is chasing a fourth Goodwood title, having previously scored with Perfectly Ready (2006), Velocitea (2010), and Lombardo (2022), the last in partnership with Kent Jnr. Kent noted Charm Stone’s established credentials, while Reserve Bank remains an unknown at the elite level.

“Charm Stone has proven to be the better horse but we don’t know Reserve Bank’s ceiling. We’re lucky to have two sound and in-form horses in such a race,” he said.

“Reserve Bank has to come up to her level to beat her and to beat the rest including Giga Kick, but he’s on an upward trajectory and I thought it was a very impressive win in the Group 2 Tobin Bronze, he didn’t just win, he won very convincingly running away.

“He’s never gone better, it wouldn’t be a total surprise, but he’ll have to run a personal best to win The Goodwood.”

Kent Jnr also reflected on the Sangster win, calling it a proud moment for their team.

“We’re really proud of everyone. There’s a lot of pressure with a horse of the calibre of Charm Stone to deliver a Group 1 for connections,” he said.

“The plan was devised the week after she ran second in the Magic Millions. She came back through our new Rosehill stables and then to Cranbourne and then came across to Adelaide. She’s travelled through four states and it’s been a careful and calculated plan.”