THREE HILLSIDE RUNNERS FOR US TODAY

Milford Sound, Nerve Not Verve and So You See are our runners on the Hillside track at Sandown today.

Milford Sound is the first to go in the fifth race over 1400 metres with Laura Lafferty aboard and Mike is pleased with the way he has prepared for today.

“It’s the start of a second preparation for us and we’ve got to know him a lot better,” Mike said.

“He spelled well and although there is not a lot of him he’s pleased me in his work. His last jump out he surprised me with the speed he showed and while his form tells you that the trip today is short of his best the way he has worked and jumped out I will not be at all surprised to see him run well fresh.”

Nerve Not Verve runs in race eight over 1800 metres as she prepares for a trip to New Zealand for the Auckland Cup.

“She’s done well since her first-up run where the race wasn’t run to suit,” Mike said.

“Today is another step in the preparation, the jar out of the ground suits and if we do get any further rain it will not be an issue for her.

“It’s a handy race for sure but she’s done well and I’m expecting her to be running through the line with a bit of gusto.”

So You See (pictured) rounds out our day in the last race over 1700 metres with Jamie Mott riding off a strong win last time out on the Hillside course.

“She had a little hiccup after that last start and we had to be a little easy on her for a few days,” Mike said.

“She’s down in weight and up in grade but she’s a mare we’ve always had a good opinion off. My one query will be the track, at the moment it is rated soft but if the forecast rain does come and it deteriorates she is untried on heavy.

“Otherwise she’s in good order, has drawn well and all things being equal i expect her to be hard to beat.”