Spring hopefuls head to Sandown

 

It's the time of year where midweek racing is at its strongest and we take four very nice horses to Wednesday's meeting at Sandown.

The first of those is the big and talented Noble Park who ran so nicely at Flemington first up.

Stepping up from 1410m to the 1800m of the Mimco Handicap, the lightly raced gelding looks nicely placed to run boldly despite having drawn awkwardly in barrier 12.

"The extra distance is going to suit," Michael Moroney said, "he is just going to need luck from that gate."

"He has come on well since his first up run though and we will be disappointed if he doesn't figure in the finish."

Hopefully we will be cheering home a running double, game mare Shylock's Daughter taking her place in the following race, the Cove Hotel Handicap.

Kept fresh in the hope that the tracks would remain wet - which Sandown has - the seven-year-old generally races well first up, kicking off her last campaign with a Ballarat victory.

"She too needs luck from a wide gate (12)," Moroney said, happy with the 3kg claim of promising apprentice Katelyn Mallyon.

Also resuming, due to line up in the Betfair Handicap over 1400m, is Absolutelyawesome who acquitted himself well in two major Sydney races over the autumn.

"He is a really nice horse," Moroney enthused. "He is probably going to be better for the run and he has drawn poorly (17) - but he does have a touch of class."

A debut winner last spring, Absolutelyawesome kicked off his last campaign with a close up fifth in the Gr.3 C.S Hayes Stakes. Glen Boss showed a liking for him during that preparation and again takes the ride on Wednesday.

Dead End is the last of our Sandown foursome, the son of High Chaparral to contest the same race as Absolutelyawesome.

An easy debut winner last spring before a Flemington second, the good looking grey missed the autumn with muscle problems but has been in great order this time around.

"He is a very nice horse but he lacks the practice of other horses in the race," Moroney said, "but he is a horse of considerable ability and it would be of no surprise if he or Absolutelyawesome could win this race."