Sandown
Race 2 – Frankie Divine
Jockey – Beau Mertens
1400m – Barrier 5
Written Tycoon gelding Frankie Divine rises in distance when second-up at Sandown this afternoon. Dwyer’s four-year-old galloper was sound on debut at Geelong a fortnight ago, finishing off well despite finding the 1200-metre trip too sharp. The extra furlong today looks to suit, and jockey Beau Mertens can lob midfield with cover off a more suitable tempo here.
There’s a few that will push forward here, setting up what should be a truly run contest. Spellmaster and Pickaxe will roll across together from outside gates, while Masonry gets blinkers for the first time and will be prominent from barrier three. This galloper has had three starts in his debut preparation, running well each time and nearing peak fitness now. He looked to have his chance when chasing last start, but if he’s taken any improvement from that effort, he could prove hard to beat from closer in the run today. Ironbar was slowly away on debut at Donald before hitting the line hard to finish runner-up at 1200-metres. Up in trip looks ideal and he’s an each way chance in this stronger event. Pickaxe was outbobbed in a three-horse-war at Geelong last start, sitting wide without cover throughout and fighting on gamely to just miss. He’ll keep kicking if he can find the front, only query is up to 1400-metres for the first time. Spellmaster led everywhere bar the line when nabbed by Spirit Of Nurai at this track last start. He finished many lengths in front of Ambassadorial on that occasion; that galloper held off Masonry a fortnight later to claim its maiden. This looks a key form reference and Spellmaster must be considered a leading hope here. Magic contested Group-2 company at his only start last preparation, returning with a runner-up effort at Canterbury three weeks ago. The stable hasn’t struck many blows this side of the border of late, but he goes in with an each way chance. Strong maiden, this.
Frankie Divine will enjoy getting out to 1400-metres today and will be even better over a mile later in his preparation. He strikes a very competitive event and will likely find a few of these too sharp, but the stable will be keen to see him winding up late and running through the line. The Dwyer galloper will be hoping leaders go at each other in the early stages and set up a strong speed, allowing him to run on and pass a couple on the way home.
Currently, Frankie Divine is a $151 chance in the market.