Two OTI gallopers will line up in this Saturday’s Group 2 Kingston Town Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, with Boniface looking to continue his progression through the grades and Athabascan making his return to the races.
The $300,000 feature represents an important early-spring test for both horses, albeit at different stages of their respective campaigns.
Boniface heads into Saturday in excellent form following his breakthrough Australian victory in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at Randwick on August 22.
The European import had continued to improve with each run since arriving in Australia, and his Premier’s Cup success was a deserved reward for that progression. The performance lifted his rating to 99 and opened the door to Saturday’s Group 2 contest.
He has enjoyed four weeks between runs and loves his routine at the stable, relaxing nicely in his work and heading into Saturday in a great frame of mind.
Assistant trainer Ben Elam was particularly pleased with his final piece of work on Tuesday.
“Very happy with him. I was impressed with how he kept building to the line. He’s fit, happy and healthy and, off that piece of work, I’m pretty keen to get him back to the races. I think he’s in a really good space.”
Boniface has drawn barrier seven, with Tommy Berry retaining the ride following their Premier’s Cup success.
All going well on Saturday, the Group 2 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill on October 10 shapes as a likely next target.
Boniface wins the G3 Premier’s Cup
Joining him in the Kingston Town will be OTI’s seasoned campaigner Athabascan, who begins another spring preparation at the age of eight.
The quality stayer has returned in terrific order and has shown plenty of enthusiasm in his recent trials, with positive reports from the stable throughout his build-up.
Saturday’s 2000m assignment is very much a starting point for his preparation. The focus after will be to map a route to some nice options getting out to two miles later in the spring.
Co-trainer John O’Shea has been pleased with what he has seen ahead of his return.
“He’s trialled well and is in great form. He’s a really happy horse.”
That sentiment has been echoed by Tom Charlton, who has been delighted with the eight-year-old throughout his preparation.
“He’s an absolute pleasure to deal with. He’s an A-grade student and does all his work very easily. He’s progressing well.”
Athabascan finishes 4th in Rosehill Trial
While Saturday represents another opportunity for Boniface to continue his rise through the grades, for Athabascan it is the first step in a campaign that will build towards his preferred staying distances later in the spring.