Sandown
Race 2 – Pannier
Jockey – Declan Bates
2400m – Barrier 6
Consistent gelding Pannier rises in grade and distance at Sandown this afternoon. Henry Dwyer’s three-year-old won his maiden well during the Warrnambool carnival at 1700-metres, progressing nicely to finish third in benchmark-58 company last time out. That was at 2000-metres, where the son of Tavistock gave every indication he is looking for the extra distance that today’s contest provides. Declan Bates rides from gate six in a seven-horse field and will drift back from the start, letting Highboy, Daddy Frank and Aunt Roberta sort their order out up front from the inside three barriers.
Tricky race to sort out, you could make an each way case for every runner here. Midnight Lady and Reservoir Dog come through the same race at Flemington over 2000-metres, where the former comfortably had the better of that duel. Back up in trip today suits Reservoir Dog however, and it wouldn’t surprise to see him run a stronger 2400-metres. There won’t be much between them. Whakamana has been close up in Group company in South Australia her past couple, making a wide, searching run last start. Back against the boys here but can’t discount. Daddy Frank did enough to win his maiden last start while New South Wales visitor Aunt Roberta is up in trip and shooting for three in a row.
Pannier was solid at Kilmore last start, running on gamely when not entirely suited by the tight-turning track. The form around his past two starts is strong and he’ll enjoy the wide-open spaces and long straight of Sandown. He shapes as though he’ll run this trip strongly and, although up in class, presents as a good each way hope in a very open race.
Currently, Pannier is a $14 chance in the market.