WINNING CHANCES ON THE HILLSIDE AT SANDOWN TODAY

A busy Wednesday on the Hillside course at Sandown for us with six runners.

The first to go is Toronto Terrier in the first race over 1400 metres with Jye McNeil riding. It is the first start this preparation for the Toronado half-brother to Extra Brut who is now a gelding.

“He’s had a couple of jumpouts to have him ready,” Mike said. “His latest one at Werribee he got back and then came though inside horses and his attitude is certainly better for being a gelding.

“I’ve taken the visors off him now and he’s drawn the inside barrier now after scratchings which might be the ideal place to be but this looks a nice race to get him started with and I’d be expecting him to improve on what he does today but he’s there to run well.”

The consistent Wisaka (pictured) runs in race two over 2400 metres with Daniel Stackhouse aboard. “He’s in terrific form and he’s holding his condition well,” Mike said. “He had his first try at this distance last start and finished second here in similar grade.

“The small field will make things interesting but all things being equal I’d expect him to be in the finish again.”

The Duke Of Dubai is in the fifth race over 1300 metres with Daniel Stackhouse riding and will jump from barrier one.

He’s second-up today and I though his first-up run at Ballarat on the synthetic track was solid,” Mike said. “He’s back on the turf tooday which will suit him, he’s improved for the run and from the draw he should be able to race on the speed and with ordinary luck prove hard to beat.”

Asteroidea and Gwithian Bay both run in race six over 1300 metres with Ethan Brown riding Asteroidea and Michael Dee aboard Gwithian Bay.

“Both are having their second starts this preparation,” Mike explained. “Asteroidea has drawn nicely in barrier six and she has pleased me sincce her first-up fourth at Bendigo.

“The race today looks pretty even but I have always had a good opinion of this mare and I’m expecting her to be competitive.

“Gwithian Bay just got a bit tired late in her first Australian start at Geelong. She’s drawn out today in a race where there looks to be a bit of speed so it will be interesting to see where she lands. She’s trained on well, I’m happy with her and the trip today looks right.”

Nordic rounds out the day in race eight over 1600 metres with Logan McNeil riding.

“He’s had two runs back now, both times here at Sandown and he’s fitter for them after a decent layoff,” Mike said. “He’ll be better on the firmer surface today and with the claim for Logan I think he comes into this race nicely.

“He’s drawn the outside but he has a few things in his favour today and I expect him to run well.”