SOME WINNING CHANCES FOR US AT SANDOWN

Five runners on a wintery Saturday at Sandown on the Lakeside course for us and some winning chances.

Meteor Light is the first to go in the second race, benchmark 78 handicap over 1600m with Michael Poy’s claim reducing the weight to 54kg.

It is the first start this preparation for the import and Mike Moroney says will love the heavy (9) conditions.

“He did well after a good break and he’s come to hand well,” Moroney said.

“He usually runs well first-up and while this is race today is short of his best he’ll love the track and I will not be surprised to see him run well as he gets ready for longer races.”

Gundown gets his preferred wet conditions for race six, the open handicap over 2100m with James Winks to ride.

Gundown has had two runs back this time in and will enjoy the track conditions today.

“It’s the ground he wants, the only question mark I have is he’s backing up for the first time with us,” Moroney said.

“I cant fault him, he’s eaten well and I think he’s a good winning chance today.”

Alburq runs in race seven, the open 3YO handicap over 1200m with Michael Poy claiming and reducing the weight to 57.5kg.

Alburq just missed first-up over 1200m at Sandown behind Final Man and meets that horse considerably better at the weights today.

“We tossed around whether to scratch him because of the ground but he’s done well on the soft so we are guessing to an extent,” Moroney said.

“His work has been superb and he’s well weighted - if he can handle the track then I think he’s an excellent winning chance.”

Barthelona is racing well and he gets his chance in race eight, the benchmark 84 handicap over 1200m with Lachlan King in the saddle.

“His work has been excellent, I can’t fault him condition wise but he’s fit and well and if he gets through the ground he’s going to be hard to beat.

Buffalo River (pictured) rounds out our day in the last race, the open handicap over 1400m with Damien Oliver riding from barrier one.

“He’s had a nice break between races and he’s particularly well,” Moroney said. “It’s the worst conditions he will have raced on and it’s a rise in class for him.

“He’s won at Sandown and we’ll be keeping an eye on how the track races during the day before making a decision on how we ride him.

“Often when the track is like this at Sandown they start off coming wide and by the end of the day they are up against the fence so we’ll be keeping an eye on how the track is racing.”