Michael Kent Jnr is seeing enough positives to anticipate an improved showing from Biancelli at Caulfield this Saturday, despite the barrier draw not being in her favour.
The once promising filly will be seeking her first win in over a year in the $130,000 Tobin Brothers Celebrating Lives F&M BM84 Handicap, run over 1100 metres.
This four-year-old, a daughter of Cosmic Force, is second-up after finishing third with 57.5kg over 1050 metres in Adelaide on May 30. Her previous start was a fourth placing in the Listed Black Pearl Stakes (1200m) at Geelong on January 3.
The mare faces the second-widest gate in a field that has been reduced to 12 runners following the early scratching of Grassmere Diamond. However, Kent is pleased to see her step up slightly in trip and carry 1kg less weight.
The Flying Star Syndications mare was kept sharp with a 800m jumpout at Cranbourne on June 15, which she won while being held together.
“She gave way for race fitness first-up, she’s four weeks fitter now and had a tick-over trial between that went well,” Kent, who trains in partnership with Mick Price, stated.
“There are a few positives for Saturday. She’s going to present much fitter, I think 1100 is a nice journey for her and she’s going to drop in weight.
“We’re hopeful more than confident, but I think she’ll run a much better race than she did first up.”
The Black Pearl Stakes represented Biancelli’s first unplaced run, after she had strung together three consecutive wins to commence her career. Her last victory was the third of those wins, a benchmark 64 event for three-year-olds on the Caulfield Heath track on May 7 last year.
Since then, she has had only four starts, including two narrow second placings in Saturday grade races to begin her previous campaign. Kent remains optimistic that more wins are in store for the mare.
“She’s had a couple of little niggles and we’ve given her time, but I think she’s still a mare on the up,” he said.
Beau Mertens is booked to ride Biancelli, who is in a betting contest with Delicate Lady and Takeko for the second line of favouritism behind the clear market leader, Next Stop Iowa.
Betting markets for the race are now open with online bookmakers.
