WINNING CHANCES AT SANDOWN TODAY

Three nice chances for us on the Lakeside course at Sandown today when Bermadez, Nerve Not Verve and Whittington Stone compete.

Nerve Not Verve is the first to go in race four, the fillies and mares benchmark 70 handicap over 2100m with Mark Zahra in the saddle.

Mike Moroney is confident Nerve Not Verve will be suited by the drop in class.

“We’ve dropped her in class so she has gone up in weight but we’re lucky to have Mark Zahra and the mare herself is a strong, robust sort so the weight should not be too big an issue,” Moroney said.

“The scratchings help with the draw which is the only little query but I think she should be able to press on and find a spot.

“She’s really well in herself and in a typically competitive mares race if she brings her A-game then I do think she will be hard to beat.”

Whittington Stone runs in race seven, the benchmark 70 handicap over 1400m with Jake Noonan riding from barrier 15.

“I will be honest and say I considered not running from the barrier however, when I looked at the form in the race it does not appear to have a lot of early pace,” Moroney said.

“I’ll leave it up to Jake however, if he flies the gates and can get across to be on speed I think that will be his best chance, especially on this course.

“The horse is fit and well and if he can race on speed then he’s definitely got a chance.”

We have to wait till the last race for Bermadez (pictured) in the the benchmark 70 handicap over 1600m with Damien Oliver aboard and drawn barrier 11.

“The barrier is awkward again but I’d say Damien can ride him a bit closer than last start,” Moroney said.

“If anything I can see the track improving which will be ideal.

“The gap between runs is a query but I gave him a jumpout last Friday to keep him ticking over and with ordinary luck today I do think he will be hard to beat.”