Amenable set for Alister Clark Stakes

With a little more luck going his way, Amenable should already be a Group 1 placegetter.

A winner on debut at Sandown as a two-year-old, Amenable has consistently raced in higher grade since and will be aiming to add a second career win when he steps out in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt has contested two Group 1 events.

He was sixth behind Golden Mile in the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in the spring while at his last start he finished fifth, beaten 1.45 lengths in the Australian Guineas at Flemington on March 4.

That day, a fall near the 300m that saw Maximillius and Holymanz tumble in turn put an end to Amenable’s chances.

“He should have been going across the line in the Australian Guineas with them,” Price said.

Amenable was taken to Moonee Valley on Tuesday where he was put through his paces by Damien Oliver who has been aboard the colt in his past three starts.

Price said Amenable was going ‘super’ and would relish the rise to 2040m on Saturday.

“I worked him with one of Ciaron’s (Maher), Mr Fabulous,” Price said.

“He sat off and his last 400 metres would have been one of the best of the morning.

“It was softish track, and it is going to be a hot week, so I did say to (track manger) Marty Synan, plenty of water please.”

Amenable holds an entry into the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick next month, although that race has not been in Price’s planning for the colt.

But that may change following Tuesday’s gallop.

“We think 2000 metres will be good and Ollie asked, ‘have you kept him alive in the Australian Derby’,” Price said.

“That race was not my intention because I think the horse will be a magnificent four-year-old, so now I will have to go back and check whether he is ‘alive’ or not.

“He’s a big horse, with a growing frame and he hasn’t quite furnished yet.

“He’s a pretty capable horse that is going super.”

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