Group I winner Abbey Marie has had her share of bad fortune since she once topped Caulfield Cup markets but Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent has the mare right for the 2017 edition of the Caulfield showpiece.
Abbey Marie was among the favourites when betting opened on the 2016 Caulfield Cup after her win in the Group I Schweppes Oaks (2000m) at only her third start.
But illness and subsequent foot issues kept her off the scene for nine months.
Kent got three runs into the daughter of Redoute's Choice in the autumn, which provided a base on which the trainer was able to build a spring foundation.
Abbey Marie has had four runs, including two at 2000m, in the lead-up to the Caulfield Cup and the five-year-old has pleased the noted trainer of stayers with her progress.
Kent queried whether Abbey Marie was quite good enough to win the Caulfield Cup but is drawing on the mare's two clashes with Bonneval when assessing his charge's chances in the $3 million event.
Abbey Marie went down narrowly to Bonneval in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley last month and was only a half-length from the Kiwi in the Ladbrokes Stakes last Saturday.
"She's going really well," Kent said. "She probably should have won at Moonee Valley when she went inside them and Bonneval got around us.
"She was near Bonneval last Saturday so we're not that far away from her I reckon."
Bonneval is a $9 chance in Caulfield Cup betting while Abbey Marie has firmed from $26 to $23 in Sportsbet's latest market.
Kent said drawing barrier five would aid former gun apprentice Beau Mertens in his bid for a maiden Group I win.
"She's finally drawn a gate so she can take a bit of a spot," Kent said.
"I'm happy with her."
