Trainer Jason Deamer believes Newcastle sprinter Bon Amis will appreciate the firm surface when he tries to turn the tables on Deprive at black-type level at Randwick on Saturday.
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Bon Amis, a $4000 online buy for Newcastle connections, will have his first crack at group level when he contests the Show County Quality (1200 metres).
Already with earnings of $465,805, the six-year-old gelding was an $8 TAB Fixed Odds chance for the $160,000 group 3 race where Deprive was the $3.30 favourite.
Bon Amis was a half-length second to the James Cummings-trained Deprive in the listed June Stakes (1100m) at Randwick in his first run this preparation and he has since finished ninth and won over the same distance at Rosehill.
Broadmeadow trainer Deamer was wary of the draw in gate eight but believed Bon Amis could go one better against the Godolphin gelding on a dry track on Saturday.
"It was heavy, and we were first-up," Deamer said of the June Stakes.
"It was a heavy 8, and he does get through it, but he doesn't like it.
"If it was a dry track that day, I reckon we beat him.
"But obviously it's got the good barrier again [in one]. We've got a bit of a tricky barrier, but other than that, the horse is going very well.
"He's had the usual four weeks between runs, which he really appreciates, and he drops in weight to 54.5 [from 58kg in his last-start win].
"He's obviously going to need that bit of luck from the barrier but there looks to be good speed in the race."
Jason Collett has the ride on Bon Amis, which Deamer worked on Saturday and Tuesday on the Newcastle course proper.
Rachel King has the sit on Deprive and a group 1 chance aboard the Kris Lees-trained Invincible Gem ($13) in the Winx Stakes (1400m) on Saturday.
The English jockey, who last week became engaged to Newcastle hoop Blake Spriggs, will take over from Brenton Avdulla for the first group 1 of the new season.
Avdulla, who has the ride on Unforgotten, took Invincible Gem to a close second behind Alizee in the Missile Stakes (1200m) two weeks ago.
Newcastle trainer Lees also has $18 chance Le Romain (Glen Boss), which was third in the Missile Stakes, in the Winx Stakes.
"Both have come on well since the Missile," Lees told his website. "Their performances tomorrow will determine where we head next with them."
Lees also has Australian Bloodstock's Delectation Girl in the Show County Quality.
"She looks outclassed there," Australian Bloodstock's Luke Murrell said. "She needs another run and further distance, and she's drawn awkwardly."
Williamtown trainer Rebecca Dunn has Artee in the race.
Australian Bloodstock and Lees have Agent Pippa in the group 3 Toy Show Quality (1100m).
"It's a little bit stronger than I was hoping for, but she looks a top-four chance. I think she'll run well," Murrell said.
Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has long-shot Pandano in the group 3 Up And Coming Stakes.