Sandown
Race 10 – Brung King
Jockey – Holly Durnan
1400m – Barrier 11
Seven-year-old galloper Brung King is first-up since March when he kicks off at Sandown this afternoon. The gelded son of Crackerjack King has had a pair of quiet jumpouts this time in, suited straight to 1400-metres but likely to need the run for fitness today. Apprentice Holly Durnan claims 3kg from a wide gate and can let her galloper find his feet from the outset, likely to find cover in the second half of the field before looking to make some ground late.
Speed is drawn to the extreme outside with Prestige Forever, Romantic Encounter and Fridge Monster all with the ability to cross the field and find the top, while Fear No Evil and Kahhof can use inside gates to make them work in the early parts. Buccleuch was an easy winner at this track and trip when resuming and draws for a soft trail in behind the speed from a middle gate. He meets a few of the same rivals a little worse off at the weights but they have a lot of ground to make up from their last encounter. He looks hard to beat again. Kahhof boasts an excellent record here (6:2-2-1) and may enjoy the run of the race on the leaders’ backs throughout. Shapes as the main danger to the favourite. Each way claims to Lovelycut, who’s second-placing behind Changing Colours reads well, and Romantic Encounter, who is fitter second-up and suited back a notch in grade.
Brung King will improve on whatever he does today, better over further and with race fitness under his belt. He’ll be given the chance to settle from the start and find the best going to run home in the closing stages.
Currently, Brung King is a $51 chance in the market.