Off To Sandown

Today we head to Sandown with three runners; two of those contesting the opening event - the Sportsbet Jockey Watch Plate, a 1600m maiden.

Comancheria and Utah are both double figure odds in what looks to be an even race but we would not be surprised to see either of them in the finish.

Hard fit after three good runs this time in - finishing runner-up at two of those - Comancheria jumps from the inside gate with Declan Bates aboard and we are looking for another bold showing from the son of the stable's stakes winner Hinemoa.

"He has been improving all the time," Glen said, "and this looks a really nice race for him."

"I am a bit surprised by his price, I think he is a better chance than where the market has him. Hopefully he can jump well from that barrier and be up on the speed like last time."

"He is in really good order and working well, he is right in the mix in this race."

Jumping from barrier 4 in the same race is Utah who has the services of Jordan Childs.

"He has had a lot of work with the blinkers on since his first up run," Glen said, "and it has definitely sharpened him up."

"He will be better still as he gets up over further but hopefully we will see good improvement from him today."

"In an open race he looks a sneaky each-way chance."

We wait till the end of the day for our third runner with Pink Chandon taking her place in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap, a 1500m BM70 contest.

The in-form Blake Shinn takes the ride on the lightly raced mare who pleased us with her first up performance at Sandown Lakeside.

A winner over 1400m second up last time in, the daughter of Pierro from the family of Fastnet Rock will be at her best over even longer but she looks to be "a good chance in a race which has really fallen away with scratchings."

"Her work has been very good," Glen reported, "and we are really happy with where she is at at the moment. She has done very well in between runs."

Pink Chandon photo courtesy of Racing Photos.