Having captured the Golden Rose with Jacquinot, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr are setting their sights on another Sydney spring carnival raid, this time with Aytron in the $2 million Five Diamonds.
The Victorian-trained galloper has been targeted at the race since midway through the spring and there is a sense of timing around his preparation for Saturday’s 1800m race, which he tackles at his third run from a spell.
“At one point we didn’t know if we were going to head down the Rupert Clarke (Stakes), Toorak (Handicap) path but the wet tracks in Melbourne curtailed that idea,” co-trainer Kent Jnr said.
“This plan has worked out well. It’s still a very good race despite being for five-year-olds only, but he is very well suited and he’s a nice winning chance in the race.”
Ayrton kicked off his campaign with a second to last Saturday’s Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win at Sandown in September and was again solid when fourth to Five Diamonds rival Ellsberg in the Prelude (1500m) last start.
He remained in Sydney after that run, which was on a rain-affected track, and back on a good surface at Rosehill, Kent Jnr is confident the horse will be at his best.
“The key to him is a dry track,” Kent Jnr said.
“He was awesome first-up when he was just touched off by your Golden Eagle winner I Wish I Win. He was first-up that day and had a tough run wide and close to the speed.
“Last start in the Prelude on a puggy soft track, he wasn’t the same horse. (Jockey) Damian Lane said he just couldn’t get traction and his head comes up a little bit.
“He has had a beautiful three weeks and he’ll front up there really well. It looks a lovely race for him.”
With Lane riding at Flemington on Saturday, Sam Clipperton has picked up the ride on Ayrton, who has drawn barrier 11.
Kent Jnr expects the horse to have enough early speed to go forward from the draw and while he is unproven at the distance – his only other 1800m run was inconclusive coming on an unsuitable heavy track behind Zaaki in the Hollindale Stakes– Kent Jnr doesn’t anticipate it being an issue.
“It’s slightly unknown,” he said.
“But he gets a strong mile so I think that should be fine.”
Victorian-trained horses have been dynamic in some of Sydney’s richest races this spring.
Along with Jacquinot’s victory in the Golden Rose, Giga Kick has claimed The Everest and I Wish I Win the Golden Eagle.
Ayrton will be one of three Victorian raiders in the Five Diamonds along with Milford for Michael Moroney and Uncle Bryn for the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young stable.