Angela Davies knows she has set Our Kobison a task at his first run for the campaign, but a clash with Group 2 winner Exploring at Randwick this Saturday is the better option for the campaign ahead.
The four-year-old was an acceptor for both the 1000m benchmark 78 and the 1100m Midway at benchmark 72 level, but his Gosford trainer has opted for the former.
That ensures a clash with James Cummings’ Blue Diamond Prelude winner from last year, but Our Kobison gets 2.5kg off that three-year-old filly and Davies is up for the contest.
“He’s only ever won up to 1000 metres and only having had one trial, I thought we’ll just stick to the shorter course,” Davies said.
“It’s probably a harder race, especially with her (Exploring) in it, but I suppose we won’t die wondering.
“We’ll find out whether he’s any good.”
Our Kobison’s performances to date suggest he is, with the son of Kobayashi having won three of his five starts, including his final two starts in late winter before a spell.
He was a soft winner of an 845m Wyong trial on December 15 and Davies said this campaign was about finding out where Our Kobison might fit in long term.
“I thought he trialled super and he’s come through his work terrific this time in,” Davies said.
“I couldn’t be happier with him really and, at the end of the day, we’ll find out if he’s going to measure up in the autumn or whether we might be able to place him somewhere else.”
Our Kobison, who will carry 56kg, has the services of in-form jockey Tommy Berry and will start from barrier seven in the field of 10.