The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr team are brimming with optimism for Phillip Island as he gears up for a debut in a high-stakes race at Caulfield.
In the $1m The Showdown (1200m), Port Phillip will launch his career while still eligible for the Golden Slipper at Rosehill next week, though it’s improbable he’ll run there.
Kent Jnr revealed elevated hopes for Phillip Island based on a solid opening to the two-year-old term with their youngsters.
Among the juveniles shining through the Price and Kent Jnr pipeline this year are Big Sky, Guest House and Brazen Dechambeau, with Kent Jnr placing Port Phillip in similar regard.
“Every year we have around 80 two-year-olds that go through the system and as trainers you can rank them in a pecking order,” Kent Jnr said.
“When your so-called top three don’t fire in certain years, you are concerned about the rest, but when your so-called top three start winning races and showing they’re amongst the best in the country, that gives you confidence about the horses just below that top tier.
This colt is in that category we think and I’m looking forward to him stepping out.”
Phillip Island enters Saturday’s race with just one trial under his belt this preparation, taking that hit-out at Caulfield Heath ridden by Craig Williams last month.
Unavailable in Sydney, Williams cedes the ride to Jamie Melham on Saturday.
“We’re going in off one trial, but he trialled really well, and he arguably trialled just as well, or if not better, than Buggsy that won (at Sandown) on Wednesday,” Kent Jnr said.
“Craig Williams really liked him and we’re under no illusions that it’s a hard test.
He is a highly strung horse and we’re asking a lot of him to get it right, but there are only three winners in the race and a number of debutants, like us.
The test may be running out a strong 1200 (metres) off one trial, but the upside of the prize money, in a restricted race, was a huge carrot to have a go at and it would be no surprise to see him run really well.
He’s a nice colt.”
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