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Camperdown trainer Ron Gravett is hoping to carry on a family tradition when Beaujolais Prince has his first taste of city racing at Moonee Valley.
Camperdown trainer Ron Gravett is hoping to carry on a family tradition when Beaujolais Prince has his first taste of city racing at Moonee Valley.
The Jeune gelding has won four of his last five starts but faces his stiffest test to date in the Sydney Entertainment Centre Class Six Hcp (1600m).
Gravett trained Beaujolais Prince's dam Ruby Dancer who won seven races including two at Sandown, and he believes her son can also make a successful transition to city class.
"He always had ability but was very erratic early on," Gravett said.
"He's had only nine starts but the first three or four starts were an education for him.
"He was overracing and had to learn to relax."
Gravett used a cross-over nose band on the horse for the first and only time at Colac last October but he missed the start badly and stewards banned him pending a satisfactory barrier trial.
"The horse was feeling restrained with the cross-over nose band so we took it off and next start he led all the way to win a Class One at Colac," Gravett said.
Beaujolais Prince hasn't looked back and at his next two starts at Ararat posted wins at Class One and Class Three level.
"We were geared up to go to Melbourne with him but the tracks were hard and he was getting jarred legs," Gravett said.
Last month Beaujolais Prince was beaten four lengths when first-up at Geelong but quickly found winning form at his next run, scoring over 1400 metres at Warrnambool on June 7.
Stan Tsaikos has ridden Beaujolais Prince at his last six runs and again has the mount.
"Looking at the field and the form of the horses it looks quite a winnable race for him," Gravett said.
"He is unbeaten in three runs at 1600 metres and hopefully he can win again and step out to something a bit better."
Gravett said Beaujolais Prince was improving with racing and would be seen at his best once he gets out to 2000 metres and beyond.
