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By Ray Hickson

He has the scalp of one of the nation’s most exciting three-year-olds and co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr is quietly confident the form around Jacquinot will stand up in Saturday’s Group 1 $1 million Chandon Golden Rose (1400m).

Trainer Michael Kent Jnr (Pic: Bradley Photos)

That scalp is of Godolphin colt Aft Cabin and while Jacquinot has a trio of Godolphin three-year-olds to contend with at Rosehill Gardens, Kent Jnr said his charge has had the perfect build up to what will be an intriguing contest.

Jacquinot was able to run past Aft Cabin, now a short priced Caulfield Guineas favourite, to win the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield a month ago and put 1-1/2 lengths on him at the finish.

“It’s a nice form line but Aft Cabin was always going to be a little vulnerable coming back in trip,’’ he said.

“On the weekend (Aft Cabin) was back up to 1400m with clear air and dominated. Our bloke has the best Melbourne form heading up there, he’s going to be awfully hard to beat.

“He’s just got to put his best foot forward.”

Just as last year’s Golden Eagle winner I’m Thunderstruck was, Jacquinot is based at Gerald Ryan’s Rosehill stable for his Golden Rose assault.

At two, the Rubick colt ran a close third in the Blue Diamond and then finished a solid sixth in the Golden Slipper, run on a heavy track, back in March but Kent Jnr, who trains with Mick Price, said Jacquinot is a different horse now and his first-up run proved it.

“Out of the mounting yard in the Blue Diamond he was the one horse that was going to improve the most,’’ he said.

“He was the leggy, narrow, colt with a good frame that was just showing a bit of rib where the other colts were readymade bulls.

“We’re glad he spelled really well and came back a more furnished product. His work had been really good leading into his first run but we thought Aft Cabin would be hard to beat.

“It was a lovely ride by Damian (Lane) as well to stalk Aft Cabin and he let down really well.”

Lane makes the trip to Sydney for the Golden Rose but it was Hugh Bowman who put Jacquinot through his paces in a barrier trial at Randwick last week to top off his preparation.

He finished sixth, making late ground, in the 1050m heat and Kent Jnr said the work was exactly what he was looking for.

He was $7.50 with TAB on Wednesday and the stable was rapt with drawing barrier five.

“They went slow early, he was travelling strongly enough and Hugh’s man goal was to switch him off early and nurse him around the corner then ask him for an effort,’’ he said.

“He’s holding fantastic condition, his coat has come right through and he’s set to run a really big race.

“All has gone to plan so far and now we need luck on the day. We’re sending the horse there in the best order possible.”

Blue Diamond winner Daumier disappointed co-trainer Sam Freedman with his first-up unplaced effort behind Jacquinot in the McNeil but has flagged a change of tactics in the Golden Rose.

Jacquinot returns with a BANG@LaneDamian @MickPriceRacing pic.twitter.com/4drmLIBa3P

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) August 27, 2022

The colt sat outside the lead first-up and weakened to be beaten nine lengths but that’s not likely to be the case at Rosehill. Like Jacquinot, he warmed up with a trial last week.

“He’s drawn a nice gate and we’re going to ride him quiet. In that latest trial, it was the first time we’ve ridden him quietly,’’ Freedman said.

“He’s up to it. He’s improved off the first-up run and all the form seems to be tying in with a lot of them.”

Daumier, $41 with TAB, finished fourth in both the Golden Slipper and Inglis Sires’ in the Sydney autumn and that gives Freedman confidence he’s more than good enough if he can regain his best form.

“There’s a bit of new form with In Secret and a few others, but he’s proven at the top level and he’s been ultra-consistent during his career,’’ he said.

“He’s been a very good benchmark for a lot of them and, hopefully, he can make his presence felt at the weekend.”

Check out the fields, form and replays for Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens