Victorian colt Profiteer has tightened his grip on the $2 million Inglis Millennium at Randwick after drawing ideally in barrier six.
An even money favourite prior to Tuesday’s draw, the Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior-trained youngster firmed into $1.85 after his main rival Sneaky Five came up with gate 17.
The undefeated filly was immediately eased from $6 to $8 in TAB fixed odds markets with Ashema (barrier seven) the only other runner under double-figure odds at $9.
By promising first season sire Capitalist, Profiteer was an impressive winner of his only start at Flemington in December.
He showed good gate speed to lead throughout in a recent Rosehill barrier trial for Hugh Bowman, who has the ride on Saturday.
Bowman, who won his first Golden Slipper last year aboard Farnan, will be chasing his second juvenile feature of 2021 after claiming the Magic Millions Classic aboard Shaquero.
Price said Profiteer had adapted well since arriving in Sydney and was in top shape ahead of Saturday’s 1200 metre race.
“He is a very happy colt and he’s thrived,” Price said on Sydney’s Sky Sports radio on Tuesday.
“He’s put on a bit of weight and he’s just really deepened up in the coat.
“He worked super this morning. H Bowman rode him….he was very good.”
The Millennium will be the first of three major targets for Profiteer, who has a busy travel schedule ahead.
He will return to Melbourne after Saturday for the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes on February 20 before heading back to Sydney for the 2021 Golden Slipper a month later.
Price said Profiteer was given a break after his debut with the major two-year-old races in mind.
“We tipped him out straight away because we have to refuel them for these races,” Price said.
“A lot of the winning of good races is timing. We are very happy with the timing leading into Saturday and I think the horse will bounce out of it and improve.
“We’ve got the Blue Diamond two weeks after Saturday and the Slipper four weeks after that so he’s got a few assignments.
“But with a view to Saturday, he is just thriving.”
A full field of 16 plus four emergencies has been confirmed for the Inglis Millennium.
Acceptances were also taken on Tuesday for the $1 million Inglis Sprint (1200m) with star colt Ole Kirk drawing barrier seven in the 11-horse field.
