Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr Jnr have had a number of European middle distance and staying horses through their stable, but they will unveil a sprinter in a Group 1 race at Moonee Valley.
Irish-bred entire A Case Of You is set for his Australian debut in the William Reid Stakes (1200m) on Friday night and comes into the care of Price and Kent Jnr as a two-time Group 1 winner.
A Case Of You won the Prix de L’Abbaye (1000m) at the ‘Arc meeting at Longchamp in October 2021 and followed up last March claiming the Al Quoz Sprint (1200m) at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night.
Price and Kent Jnr have been tasked with winning a Group 1 race in Australia with the owner’s hope of finding a good home for the sprinter to stand at stud.
After winning the Al Quoz Sprint, A Case Of You ran third in Group 2 company in Ireland before losing his way, finishing down the track at Royal Ascot and The Curragh before a second tilt at the Prix de L’Abbaye in his last three European outings.
And to make his task tougher ahead of his Australian debut, A Case Of You was required to go through quarantine at Mickleham where he was boxed for two weeks before heading to the Cranbourne stables of Price and Kent Jnr.
Kent Jnr said A Case Of You was a little ‘sour’ when he first arrived at Cranbourne, but the five-year-old has since adapted well to his new surrounds.
“He was a bit sour when he came out of quarantine, but he’s lovely horse to deal with now and he’s really loving our work,” Kent Jnr said.
I’m hoping for the best on Friday night.”
Kent Jnr said it will be intriguing to see how he lines up against the quality Australian sprinters.
“The key is him getting back to his best form. His best form is capable of winning a race like this,” Kent Jnr said.
“Whether we see that at his first run in Australia out of quarantine needs to be seen.
“He had nice form overseas. Two Group 1 wins in two different countries, so if he can win a Group 1 down here, hopefully there will be a few studs looking at him.”
A Case Of You has had three jump-outs at Cranbourne to prepare for Friday night’s hit-out in which he will be ridden by Mark Zahra.
On Zahra’s advice, A Case Of You will wear blinkers in the William Reid Stakes.
“He didn’t over-race (in blinkers) and he seemed to travel a bit sweeter, and Mark felt if he had of pushed him, he would have won the trial,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s here to win Group 1’s, so we’ll try to switch him on.”