European import Boniface faces barrier challenge

After two runs for new trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, former European galloper Boniface is ready to add to his winning record.

That is provided the gelding can overcome what Kent Jnr described as a ‘sticky draw’ in the Precise Air Handicap (1800m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Boniface won three of his five starts in France before making his way out to Australia to find a new home at Cranbourne with Price and Kent Jnr.

After an initial campaign late last year where Boniface got to the trialling stage, the four-year-old was gelded and turned out for another break.

He returned to racing with a pleasing fifth over 1600m at Sandown in May before finishing a last start second over 1800m at Randwick on June 20.

Kent Jnr said Boniface had made nice progression from that outing and worked encouragingly on Tuesday to provide the stable with some confidence ahead of Saturday.

But drawing gate 14 in the 15-horse horse was not ideal, although he will jump from barrier 10 if the four emergencies do not gain a start.

“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 said.

“He’s drawn sticky on Saturday, but off his work on Tuesday, he’s showing that he’s going very well.

“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 partnered Boniface in his most recent appearance, takes the ride again on Saturday.