RUNNERS ON THE HILLSIDE COURSE AT SANDOWN

Three runners on the Hillside course at Sandown for us on Wednesday when Rue de Rennes, Meteor Light and Play That Song take part.

Rue de Rennes is the first to go in race three, the Mypunter Benchmark 64 Handicap over 2400m with Harry Grace reducing her weight from barrier nine after scratchings.

It will be the eighth start this preparation for the daughter of Group 1 winners Cape Blanco and Ekstreme which finished runner-up over 2400m at Geelong on April 17 at her latest start.

“She’s had a little bit of racing but we’ve given her some time since her last start and the advantage she has is at the weights with the claim getting her down below the minimum,” Moroney said.

“It’s a decent field with some stakes form in it so we need to give her every advantage we can.

“She looks good and her work has been good so although this is a step up in class for her I can see her running another good race.”

Meteor Light runs in race five and Harry Grace will also reduce his weight to 59kg in the Ladbrokes Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1800m.

The import is fitter after two starts, the latest when beaten less than two lengths over 1700m at the Warrnambool carnival.

“He’s got the weight but he’s coming back in class,” Moroney said. “I thought his last run was excellent under the circumstances and he strikes the right distance here.

“Provided there is a little bit of give in the ground I think he will run a big race.”

Play That Song (pictured) rounds out the day in race six, the Long Fine Benchmark 70 Handicap over 1800m with Jason Benbow to ride from barrier two.

The four-year-old daughter of Smart Missile finished fourth over 2060m at Cranbourne at her latest start.

“I’ve freshened her and banking on there being speed in the race because she does prefer a fast run race,” Moroney said.

“I know she’s got the ability but she just needs things to go her way and if that happens here then it will not surprise me at all to see her run well.”