Sandown
Race 2 – Different Gravy
Jockey – Jamie Mott
1300m – Barrier 5
Two-year-old colt Different Gravy resumes from a break today, four months after a sound debut effort at Ballarat. The son of Ghaiyyath sat rearward and cornered widest over 1100-metres on that occasion, warming up late and finding the line strongly in a pleasing performance. Jockey Jamie Mott retains the ride from gate five of seven today, letting his galloper find his feet and settle where comfortable throughout the race.
Warrior Smile looks the likely leader on exposed form, though hard to predict settling positions in a race such as this. Stay Cosmic is the sole winner in the field, proving too good at Cranbourne on debut a fortnight ago. He went back and swept around his rivals on the home bend on that occasion, and could settle closer up in trip this afternoon. One of the main hopes. Let It Beel found only Scenic Point better at Pakenham three weeks ago, that runner winning in Listed grade at Caulfield last Saturday. Suited up in trip and better for the experience. Strong claims. Medieval Warrior looks the best of the first-starters, finding the line nicely at his latest jumpout. No surprise to see him show up here. Plenty to learn.
Different Gravy was beaten over five lengths on debut, but was very good in the closing stages and did beat home subsequent winner Befuddle, who has been mixing in Listed grade this preparation. Mott can find cover from the outset today, looking to run on down the middle of the track and be thereabouts in the finish. Top three claims.
Currently, Different Gravy is a $35 chance in the market.
Sandown
Race 3 – Macocha
Jockey – Declan Bates
1400m – Barrier 3
Last start winner Macocha rises in grade and distance when she heads to town this afternoon. The three-year-old daughter of Street Boss comfortably took care of her rivals at Swan Hill three weeks ago, looking the winner a long way from home and duly saluting over 1300-metres. Jockey Declan Bates leaves from an ideal gate and can land behind the leaders in the early parts, looking for room on straightening to run on in the home straight.
Lady Sadler can use the inside alley to boot through and hold the lead from the outset, while expect Sirena and Actuality to roll across and find forward positions in the run. Altermatum will be back in the field, coming here off a runner-up effort in similar grade last start. She ran by Actuality on the Hillside circuit on that occasion to just miss on the line. Strong claims. Sirena won her Maiden at this track two starts back before another sound effort here behind an all-the-way winner last start. She’s jumped out soundly since and should get every chance from near the speed today. Could take catching. Each way claims to Lady Sadler, who resumes today, and Actuality, who can be thereabouts in this grade.
Macocha’s win at Swan Hill was strong and earns her a shot in this company today. The runner-up behind her won next time out, and she draws for a lovely trail behind the speed today. If she gets room when she needs it, she can be fighting out the finish. Each way claims.
Currently, Macocha is a $26 chance in the market.