MICK Price and Michael Kent Junior have had a successful year with their juveniles as they look to add another stakes win at Caulfield with Buggsy in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1200m).
They captured the highlight of the year for the two-year-olds when Guest House took out the Golden Slipper Stakes and they have also had success with Big Sky and Brazen De Chambeau.
Kent Junior said they had a big opinion of Buggsy, who won his debut for them over 1000m at Sandown Hillside on March 4.
“He was impressive. He was very green and he looked vulnerable at the 200m to be run down as they went quite quick but he really surged again when challenged and he was strongest past the post,” Kent said on SEN’s Giddy Up With Gareth.
Kent Junior said Buggsy will be better suited by 1200m rather than 1000m.
Kent Junior said Buggsy, who is the $3.70 favourite with Unibet, has improved immensely from the debut run.
He pointed out that Buggsy was an Inglis Ready To Run purchase last spring and was still in his first preparation with them.
He is confident that Buggsy, who will be ridden by Tom Stockdale, is ready to run a big race.
“You will see a nice horse on Saturday. It’s a nice little race, but he’s a very good chance. We like him a lot,” he said.
The stable will also be represented by two good chances in the feature open handicap, the Thoroughbred Club Anniversary Vase (1600m) with Golden Path and Taken.
“We are super happy with Golden Path. This run is a stepping stone on the way to the Hollindale Stakes; don’t discount him. It was a good first-up run and he’s in with a chance,” he said.
Kent Junior said Taken had drawn barrier 14, but they were thinking that, as it was the eighth race, it may not be such a bad spot.
“We will ride the track pattern, but with Al Duca and El Rock,o there will be good speed, so we will ride him to finish off. He’s progressive, consistent and reliable.”
Taken is $5 with Unibet and Golden Path is $11. Their other acceptor, On Display, will be scratched as she will run at Morphettville instead.
