By Ray Hickson
Trainer Jason Deamer says there are no more ‘easy steps’ for talented sprinter Bon Amis to take and has declared him ready for his stakes debut at Randwick on Saturday.
Aside from taking the lure of the Provincial Championships series last year, Deamer has allowed the gelding to work through the grades and he hits open company in the Listed $150,000 June Stakes (1100m) with seven wins from 15 starts.
“This is his testing prep, he's got to this level now,’’ Deamer said.
“I suppose you'd say he's done the easy steps and now he's got to stand up.’’
Bon Amis enjoyed a successful summer preparation winning three of his four starts and his only defeat was on a soft track.
But that’s something Deamer isn’t concerned about heading to a rain-affected Randwick as he says the gelding has done plenty of work ahead of his return.
“He's pretty well wound up, he's fit enough,’’ Deamer said.
Bon Amis wins a trial at Wyong on May 22
“His trials have been nice, the first one was a nice easy trial at home and we let him do a bit last time.
“When he won on a heavy track at Muswellbrook it was his second start, now he's in a higher grade. And the other attempt was at Warwick Farm and he just didn't seem happy that day.’’
That race was won by Easy Eddie, Group 1 placed since, and Bon Amis carried 60kg, conceding the winner 4.5kg, but drops to 54kg on Saturday.
The box Bon Amis is yet to tick is a win at 1200m.
That’s not an issue ahead of the June Stakes but it could be in subsequent starts if the five-year-old performs to Deamer’s expectation.
He’s been placed at 1400m in a Provincial Championships Qualifier so perhaps it’s a formality but it's important as Deamer has the $160,000 Ramornie Handicap (1200m) at Grafton next month pencilled in as a target.
Deamer initially had trouble securing a rider but Christian Reith will partner Bon Amis from the inside alley.
“This will be his test and that will tell us where to go,’’ he said.
“He always seems to settle in the first four or five, puts himself there and he can run good sectionals at the finish.
“It always helps when you're handy and you can finish off. He's got a good will to win.’’
Bon Amis opened $8 with TAB on Wednesday and firmed to $6.50 behind the warm favourite Deprive ($2), who ran sizzling time winning over the Randwick 1100m two weeks ago.
All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Royal Randwick