Newcastle trainer Jason Deamer reckons exciting four-year-old Bon Amis is unlucky not to still be unbeaten.
But every cloud has a silver lining.
Bon Amis won his first four starts and was a close second at his next two, both at Rosehill, over 1100m.
The losses kept Bon Amis eligible for the rich Provincial Championships series, which continues with a third $150,000 qualifier at Gosford on Saturday. Bon Amis will be first-up off one impressive trial at Gosford and a three-month break from racing on Saturday and was an $11 chance for the $500,000 (1400m) final at Randwick.
“Towards the end of last prep we thought we’d get him ready for this first up,” Deamer said.
“We only get one chance at it because he's already won four races, and hopefully we've won two more before this time next year.
“If we do get into the final, I don't know how he'll go over the 1400, but it'll be a good problem to have.”
Deamer said preparations had been “very good” and he was confident jockey Noel Callow could negotiate the start from barrier 11 of 16.
“He's just had a short spell, with four weeks off,” he said.
“He's been back a while and had a nice easy trial at Gosford a few weeks ago, just for a bit of fitness and to give him a look around the track.
“He's obviously drawn a bit wide but I think most of the main chances have. I'll just leave it up to the jockey. I think I've got one of the best jockeys in the race.
“It is a bit of an ask first-up and he’s never been over 1200 in his life. But he's had the trial, he’s coming off a short break, so he's still got a bit of residual fitness hopefully coming off last prep. And he seems a bit more relaxed this time in.”
Deamer believed Serene Miss, one of three Kris Lees-trained chances, was the one to beat.
On Sunday, the Country Championships moves to Scone where the Melanie O’Gorman-trained Suncraze was the odds-on pick.
Scone trainer Rod Northam has My Tagoson, Remittance and Try A Lil Harder in the 1400m qualifier.
“They should all run pretty well, it’s just whether we are racing for second prizemoney and Suncraze is too good,’’ Northam told Racing NSW.
“I’m happy with my three, they are all fit and healthy and at the top of their game. Hopefully they can be there when the whips are cracking.
“You plan and aim for the race and hopefully it all works out. They’ve got here with not too much weight and the right benchmark and hopefully we can get some prizemoney.’’
