A Case Of You peaking at right time

By Glenn Davis

Co-trainer Michael Kent (Jnr) believes imported sprinter A Case Of You is peaking at the right time and is poised to post his third Group 1 across three continents at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

The Irish-bred five-year-old has started only three times on Australian soil after being a seven-time winner in Europe and Dubai.

A winner at the highest level in two continents, in France’s Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp in 2021 and in last year’s Al Quoz Sprint in Dubai, A Case Of You is looking for a third Group 1 scalp in the Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300 metres.

A son of Irish stallion Hot Streak, A Case Of You made his Australian debut for Kent and co-trainer Mick Price in the Group 1 William Reid at Moonee Valley in March.

After drawing wide, he was forced to get back before powering home for a close fifth, less than three lengths behind the Mark Walker-trained Imperatriz.

“He drew wide and had to get back, then he was held up twice for a run in the William Reid,” Kent said.

A Case Of You was then freshened and sent to Queensland when he again drew wide before finishing sixth, less than two lengths from star sprinter Rothfire in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.

The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 was next on his agenda but another wide draw saw him finish fifth to sprint sensation Giga Kick.

“It was five weeks between runs for him in the Victory Stakes so we used it as a lead-up run to the Doomben 10,000,” the co-trainer said.

“His 10,000 run was extremely good and only Mazu ran a faster last 600 metre sectional.

“He’s peaking at the right time for this race before he goes on to The Stradbroke Handicap next month.”

Kent, who is in Fiji for a wedding, believes the wider spaces at Eagle Farm best suits A Case Of You, who has drawn barrier six for jockey Mark Zahra.

“The horse is going super and the bigger track at Eagle Farm and going to 1300 metres should really suit him,” Kent said.

“He’s trained on well since the Doomben 10,000 and he’s been going to the beach a lot.

A field of 16 will line up against A Case Of You, spearheaded by favourite Think About It.

Kent believes A Case Of You’s perfect draw will enable him to take up a more prominent position in the Kingsford Smith Cup.

“He’s never drawn a decent alley before but with a good draw he’ll posy up into a good position and won’t have to be ridden so cold,” he said.

Although A Case Of You is an entire, connections have no plans to retire him for stud duties after his main assignment in the $3 million Stradbroke over 1400 metres at Eagle Farm on June 10.

“We’re trying to promote him in Australia and he’s a sound horse who will prepare for the Melbourne spring after the winter here,” Kent said.