Big fields on a true winter track, we can fill-up our black book with winners for the next few months.
The inside section of the track was a place to avoid so we can be forgiving of any horses that got trapped in the very inside lanes, especially as the day went on with the track cutting up. You needed to be a hardened race fit horse to be getting it done on this surface.
It was a strip out for most punters with Brayden Star the only favourite to salute on the day with five winners into double figures. Good luck if you landed the quaddie ( $21k) with most players out in the first leg with the in-form Pintoff powering home at $26.
BLACK BOOKERS
COEUR VOLANTE. Loved the debut run of this Michael Moroney-trained daughter of Proisir. Jumping awkward and hitting the gates, she found herself back beyond midfield and Jamie Mott just couldn’t find any clear air including being badly held up 300-200m. Only fully balancing up closer to the 100m, they’ve run a final 200m split just 0.02 slower than the winner and at worst should have run a close-up third. Bred to get out over a bit more ground, she looks a talented filly.
SCANTOON. This was a good solid return from the lightly raced rising seven-year-old from the Grahame Begg stable. Jordan Childs had to go well back from the wide barrier to avoid being exposed out deep and they were still back third last all the way to the 200m. Building through its gears, they closed hard in the third best closing splits of the race in what looks a perfect trial for longer races. At its best on wet tracks, he looks set for a strong winter campaign.
UNSEEN RULER. Mathew Williams looks to have himself a handy staying prospect in this lightly raced son of Derby winner Mongolian Khan. Coming off a Heavy 10 win at the Warrnambool carnival, he jumped too quickly from the wide gate and got off balance to be three deep with cover back closer to last before improving four deep from the 800m. He drove hard out wide the entire straight, only peaking slightly in the last 50m and looks to have good upside.
ARTZINO. Slashing return from the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained son of Tarzino. Returning after just a one run prep back in February, he was slow out and hampered to be back in the last three in the run and they were still there easing to the outside at the 250m. Building through his gears, he’s run the best of every closing split in the race looking every bit the stayer he’s bred to be and handling wet tracks, he’s another set for a strong winter preparation.
TONNEOFGRIT. This gelding from the Hawkes stable is only three runs into his prep and has really struck his best form since switching back to Victoria. After winning on Lakeside two starts back, he gave away a big start onto the Hillside track Saturday and drove hard the entire straight. Right at his top now, I’d love to see him drop a grade with the use of a claim, where he’d take some holding out.
FRENCH EMPEROR. I black-booked this Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained gelding off his fresh run and there’s no reason not to stay with him after his latest run at Sandown. In a hot run race, he had to keep rolling three deep through the first 600m to slot in just off pace. With the leaders collapsing, he was left in front at the 350m, where he gave a big kick, and he was tough to hold out all but the winner giving away 2.5kg. If he can draw a gate next start, he’s set to totally dominate a race up on pace.
SECRET PLAN. The formerly Perth-trained gelding is racing well for the John Leek stable. He was a powerful winner first-up over the Warrnambool carnival and I thought he did a good job at Sandown when jumping sharply to a trip he’d never been near previously with the 3.5 weeks between runs. Worse than midfield on the point of the home turn, he never got clear air all the way to the 100m and stuck on ok through the line. Right at his peak, if he finds the right race over a mile next start, he’ll be winning again.
FORGIVE RUNNERS
DO YA PUNK. Didn’t help himself racing a bit keen but just as he looked to be travelling into the finish, he was flattened at the 100m. If he finds a heavy track, he’s ready.
HELLO BROADCAST. Looked to have plenty to offer when badly held up 300-100m and never got a lot of room with no time to wind up.
GLOBAL GIFT. Three deep exposed the entire trip and checked at the 300m. He can take a big step in his next few starts.
BRITISH COLUMBIA. A horse that loves to dominate up on pace, his chances were gone at the start when badly out of the gates.
FORGET RUNNERS
PASCERO. No knock on him as a horse and he’s racing well but he looks to be a horse crying out for a dry track at the time of year he won’t find one.
DASHING. That looked to be the run of a horse that has had enough for this prep. He may spell but if he doesn’t, I’d be staying out.