TWO NICE CHANCES FOR US AT SANDOWN TODAY

Two runners for us at Sandown today with Iowa Hawkeye and Bianco Nuovo heading to the races.

Bianco Nuovo is the first to go in race four, the Benchmark 70 Handicap over 2400m with Michael Poy reducing his weight to 57kg and Mike Moroney is expecting a strong showing.

“He’s drawn well enough and he’s onto a different track as opposed to last time at Moonee Valley,” Moroney said.

“He’s getting into his preparation but he’s holding his condition well and we’ve claimed to help his weight.

“Ideally he will roll forward - they went pretty hard last start at Moonee Valley and I think he might get an easier time at Sandown - if that’s the case then I’m expecting him to run well.”

Iowa Hawkeye (pictured) is in race five, the Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1800m with Dwayne Dunn to ride from barrier three.

The son of Lope de Vega finished third last time out at Sandown and is stepping up in trip at his third start this preparation.

“He’s drawn nicely here in contrast to his previous start where he ran well and meets similar opposition,” Moroney said.

“He’s done well since and we are happy with him. He still needs to sort his racing manners out and he did a few things wrong last time which didn’t help.

“If he can get on top of his manners then I expect him to be hard to beat.”