Sandown
Race 4 – Irish Butterfly
Jockey – Celine Gaudray
2400m – Barrier 2
Last start winner Irish Butterfly returns to the flat today following a breakthrough hurdle victory at Warrnambool a fortnight ago. The eight-year-old son of O’Reilly won twice at this trip on the Hillside circuit last preparation, and today has his first look at the tighter Lakeside track. Apprentice hoop Celine Gaudray jumps from an inside gate and can let her gelding roll in the early stages, landing outside or just behind the speed passing the winning post for the first time.
Speranzoso will jump fast from the outside and look to cross the field before the first bend, while Senor Uno can boot through from the inside alley and hold his position in the front half throughout. This galloper won over this trip first-up since October last year and comes here fitter second-up today. Heavy track form in New Zealand is strong (3:2-1-0), and assuming he’s bounced through the fresh run, can be in this for a long way. Martial Eagle just couldn’t get past Senor Uno last time out, perhaps needing to get going earlier than he did there. He’s racing well and sure to be around the mark again. 650+ days since his last win the big knock. Speranzoso is on the quick back-up from flopping in much stronger grade at Flemington on the weekend, while Bengal Boy is fitter third-up from a spell. Both with each way claims.
Irish Butterfly will return to the jumps in three weeks, able to use today as a solid tick-over run in preparation for that event. He can bowl along up near the speed and keep boxing on in the home straight, with any leader-bias helping his cause today. Each way claims.
Currently, Irish Butterfly is a $9 chance in the market.