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By Ray Hickson

The form guide says in-form sprinter Bon Amis hasn’t ticked the 1200m box but to trainer Jason Deamer it’s a mere formality.

That’s not to say Deamer is declaring the five-year-old over the line in Saturday’s Australian Turf Club Handicap (1200m) at Warwick Farm.

But in his mind Bon Amis has already proven himself at the journey through the Provincial Championships series, despite not winning, and it’s the least of his concerns as he chases a hat-trick.

“It’s only what’s on a bit of paper, to me he’ll run 1400m so I don’t think 1200m will be any problem,’’ Deamer said.

“If luck went his way we could be talking differently about him, he should have won the heat at Newcastle and was four and five wide in the Final (both 1400m) and held on for fifth.’’

But on paper the fact remains Bon Amis has had eight starts at 1100m and below for all six career wins plus two seconds.

With the Listed Takeover Target Stakes (1200m) looming as Bon Amis’ next assignment if the gelding carries the 60kg to victory Deamer will head to Gosford with confidence he can continue his rise.

Bon Amis scores at Rosehill on December 8

“We keep stepping him up and he keeps winning so we’ll keep heading that way, he’s a nice little horse,’’ he said.

“Last time in we tried to stretch him out for the Provincial Championship series and things didn’t work out.

“He’s had a nice long spell and he’s come back a lot stronger and we’re training him for the shorter ones.

“I don’t think the barriers are a huge concern at Warwick Farm, it’s just around a corner, and it looks a nice race for him.’’

Bon Amis opened the $4.60 favourite with TAB to keep his winning run going on Saturday.

A superb ride from Glyn Schofield guided Bon Amis to his second-up win, from an awkward alley, at Rosehill on December 8 and while he found cover he was still forced to work at both ends.

The data from Punters Intelligence shows Bon Amis ran the fourth fastest first 500m of 29.53 and while his last 600m was 33.18, just sixth best, Deamer says any horse that can sit in the first five and run 33 for the last 600m is going to be hard to beat.

“It was perfectly set up for him when they went along quick and he sat in behind them,’’ he said.

“He’s come on well from that. I don’t do that much with him, just keep him ticking over.’’

Of course Bon Amis has been the subject of several offers from Hong Kong since his explosive win at his third race start at Newcastle 14 months ago.

They kept coming last preparation too but Deamer said the owners are happily enjoying the ride on a horse they’ve become used to celebrating victories with.

“There’s a few in him, it was good money but by the time they split it up it wouldn’t have been that much,’’ he said.

“But they are enjoying the ride, the horse didn’t cost them much, so why sell it. They are all having a lot of fun.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Warwick Farm