Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Boniface Randwick hopes are building ahead of Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap, with trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr confident the former European galloper is ready to push for his first Australian win.
The four-year-old gelding has had two runs for the Cranbourne stable since arriving from France, where he won three of his five starts before moving to Australia.
His rise comes as the racing spotlight also stays on major comeback stories, including Blake Shinn’s Flemington jump-outs return after a long injury layoff.
Draw Creates Tactical Puzzle
Boniface resumed with a fifth over 1600m at Sandown in May before improving to finish second over 1800m at Randwick on June 20.
Kent Jnr said the horse had trained well on Tuesday, but barrier 14 in a 15-runner field has made Saturday’s race more awkward. He will jump from gate 10 if the four emergencies do not run.
“He was good first-up and he was excellent second-up, so he’s doing a great job in his first Australian preparation,” Kent Jnr commented.
“He’s drawn sticky on Saturday, but off his work on Tuesday, he’s showing that he’s going very well.”
Stable Weighs Race Shape
Kent Jnr said the wide draw is not simple because Boniface can be keen in his races.
“It’s a sticky draw because he’s a bit exuberant. We would prefer to be covered up, but you could roll forward but you could undo all the good work by giving him the wrong message and light him up, or you could snag back to last and have too much to do.”
“We’re also not sure about him on a real heavy track. He’s trialled well in the heavy, but I like the horse and he’s going great.”
“If he takes natural improvement from his last start, he will be right in the finish.”
Tyler Schiller, who rode Boniface last start, keeps the ride at Randwick. Official race fields and results are available through Racing New South Wales.