Michael Kent Jnr knows there is just as much chance of A Case Of You drawing a wide barrier this weekend as there has been in each of his previous Australian runs, but the Cranbourne trainer desperately hopes his run of tricky gates has come to an end.
The imported stallion will chase his first Australian win in Saturday’s $700,000 Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
The 1300-metre weight-for-age event will be A Case Of You’s fourth Australian start, having run fifth in the Group 1 William Reid Stakes after drawing eight of 10, sixth in the Group 2 Victory Stakes from eight of nine and fifth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 from nine of 10.
Kent, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, said a good draw would permit A Case Of You to take up a closer position than he has been allowed to in those events.
“While he’d won two Group 1s, his form had tapered towards (overseas) and we weren’t entirely sure how he’d adapted to Australia, but he’s been very genuine in all three runs,” he said.
“He’s really savaged the line from bad barriers, but he doesn’t have to get that far back. Surely we’re due on Saturday to draw a nice gate and he can position up a little bit closer.”
A Case Of You came to Australia a winner of seven of 18 starts including Group 1 wins in the Prix de l’Abbaye (1000m) at Longchamp in France and the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) in Dubai.
The Kingsford Smith Cup will be his first start beyond six furlongs in more than two years and Kent feels the son of Hot Streak is now looking for that trip.
Mark Zahra, who rode A Case Of You in the William Reid Stakes, goes back aboard for Saturday, replacing Ben Thompson, who was aboard for the past two starts.
“We lose nothing there, Mark knows the horse really well,” Kent said.
“Eagle Farm will suit, back to the bigger track, and 1300 metres suits.
“I just feel the horse is peaking. I reckon he’s pretty close to his top and then we’ll bounce him two weeks into the Stradbroke.”
The $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) will be run at Eagle Farm on June 10.
