It has been almost a year since Ayrton (NZ) (Iffraaj) last raced, but after a long and steady build-up the gelding is set to run at Flemington.
Ayrton lines up in the Group 3 Shaftesbury Avenue Handicap (1400m) on Saturday having not raced since finishing seventh in last year’s edition of the All-Star Mile which was held at Caulfield.
The Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr-trained galloper was in work and being prepared for a spring campaign last year but did not come up as expected and was turned out for a break.
Kent Jnr said the extended break had done Ayrton the world of good and the gelding’s work and jump-outs suggest he still has the zest to be a racehorse.
“He just didn’t come up last preparation,” Kent Jnr said.
“He was sound all the way through the preparation, and we got him to the trial stage, but he wasn’t giving his riders the feel that he was going to run well.
“We had a good look at him and decided to give him a long break.
“He’s had a long, steady build up and it’s pleasing to say that he’s a completely different horse to last preparation.”
Ayrton has only had the 24 career starts, winning eight times with a further four placings.
A rising eight-year-old Kent Jnr said it was all up to Ayrton as to how far he goes this preparation.
“Being an older horse, we’re mindful that it’s all up to him,” Kent Jnr said.
“We won’t force the issue, if he wants to do it, he’ll show us.
“Both his jump-outs have been very good. He was in a hot heat last time and worked home well.
“He had a big blow, so whilst he’s got an extremely good first-up record, he’s an older horse now, and he’s in better races and it’s 12 months since his last start.
“We think he’ll massively improve with the run, but I’m looking forward to seeing him back.
“It’s a race, at his best, that is certainly within his grasp, but we haven’t asked to see a heap at home, so we’ll see how he’s going on race day.”
