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$1.25m filly Boa Vista ready for debut in Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown

A $1.25m filly will debut in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown but bookmakers are lukewarm about her chances.

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A hefty $1.25m of horseflesh will be on show for the first time in Saturday’s Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown.

Bloodstock agent Sheamus Mills paid the seven-figure amount for Boa Vista at last year’s Gold Coast Magic Millions sale.

While Boa Vista was an instant hit with the top judges as a yearling, bookmakers have been lukewarm about the Snitzel filly’s chances of a debut win, posting her as a $17 chance in Chairman’s Stakes betting.

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Boa Vista finished last in her first summer jumpout at Cranbourne on January 6 but improved when second in her hitout at the same venue a week later.

Co-trainer Michael Kent Jr said he and training partner Mick Price have not significantly tested Boa Vista in the lead-up to her debut.

“Boa Vista is a lovely filly. She’s a good, professional two-year-old type,” Kent Jr said.

“We haven’t asked her for too much off the bridle at home so, like a lot of two-year-olds, we’re going to find out plenty on race day.”

A minor hiccup forced Price and Kent Jr to scratch Boa Vista from last Saturday’s Blue Diamond Preview.

Kent Jr said missing that race could turn out to Boa Vista’s advantage in the Chairman’s Stakes.

“We were in last week but we had a trace of mucus on her scope so we pulled her out,” Kent Jr said.

“I thought last week’s race was particularly strong so it would have been a very tricky race but she wasn’t 100 per cent anyway.”

“She’s had an extra gallop where she worked well with an older horse on Tuesday morning

“I think this race presents as a better opportunity for her.”

Trainer Michael Kent Jr learn a lot more about debutant Boa Vista (not pictured) in the Chairman’s Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images
Trainer Michael Kent Jr learn a lot more about debutant Boa Vista (not pictured) in the Chairman’s Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

Boa Vista drew barrier one, which is often an advantage to guide the inexperienced youngsters in two-year-old races.

Kent Jr said the draw would allow jockey Ethan Brown to give Boa Vista a soft run behind the leaders in the $200,000 contest.

“From barrier one, I think she’ll be just behind the speed and the winning post will teach us plenty about her on Saturday,” Kent Jr said.

“It’s a nice race for her to kick off her career and hopefully she measures up.”

Price and Kent Jr will also run debut Pakenham winner His Finest Hour in the Mal Seccull Handicap (1800m).

His Finest Hour started his racetrack career in inauspicious circumstances but got his act together once the gates opened at Pakenham.

“He dumped Beau Mertens on the way to the gates and he ran a whole lap,” Kent Jr said.

“I was actually surprised they let him run but thank God they did.

“What a tough horse to do that on his debut run against older horses.

“Is he just a Benchmark horse or has he got potential to go on to something harder? We’ll learn a lot about him on Saturday.”

His Finest Hour is an $8 chance to remain unbeaten at Sandown.

Originally published as $1.25m filly Boa Vista ready for debut in Chairman’s Stakes at Sandown

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/horse-racing/125m-filly-boa-vista-ready-for-debut-in-chairmans-stakes-at-sandown/news-story/532fb4f7dc03c68c2f12bbaa433bd7e9