The Henry Dwyer Racing stable has four runners today at Sandown with RIDING HIGH, THE DOMINATOR, THE BLACK LEOPARD and REGARDSMAREE.
Sandown – Good (4) (Flat) / Soft (5) (Jumps)
Race 1 (11.55am) Ladbrokes Hurdle
No.2 RIDING HIGH –Tom Sadler (Barrier 1)
RIDING HIGH heads to Sandown today to compete in the Ladbrokes Hurdle over 3400m. He has drawn gate one and Tom Sadler will ride.
Undefeated over hurdles this season (2/2) winning a strong BM120 at the Bool over the May carnival. He lost his rider on the way to the barriers in the Australian Hurdle and had EIPH on the flat at Moe in June.
He is in really good order at the moment with the form guide not really reflecting how well he is going in his work. This is a strong benchmark 120 and will really tell us how well he is going. The distance shouldn’t worry him at all and he is certainly up to the challenge with a nice 1.5kg claim from Tom Sadler. If he runs up to his best he will be right there in the finish.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $7 (as at 8am)
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Race 3 (1.15pm) Crisp Steeplechase
No.6 THE DOMINATOR – Tom Sadler (Barrier 8)
THE DOMINATOR also heads to Sandown where he will take his place in the Crisp Steeplechase over 4200m with Tom Sadler in the saddle.
THE DOMINATOR returned to his brilliant front running best last start at Pakenham when winning a strong BM120 chase defeating the talented Michelin and Flying Agent. He heads into unchartered territory at 4200m, but if he gets his own way in front and jumps cleanly he should be right in contention.
This isn’t the strongest version of the Crisp we have seen, he will roll along out front similar to Pakenham and he will give them plenty to chase. He is going to give a great sight.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $5 (as at 8am)
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Race 4 (1.55pm) Ladbrokes Multi Builder Handicap
No.1 THE BLACK LEOPARD – Will Price a(3) (Barrier 2)
THE BLACK LEOPARD is our first flat runner at Sandown and he will run in the 2400m BM78 with young Will Price booked to ride.
He hung a bit last start but not as badly as he has done previously and should improve again today. The field is down to seven so this race will be quite tactical, from barrier two we should be in the box seat and have the last crack at them. TIGRE ROYALE looks hardest to beat but with Will’s claim we are well in at the weights and have the class to be competitive in this type of race.
The horse with the best run might with this race and will be hoping it’s our bloke.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $4.40 (as at 8am)
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Race 7 (3.40pm) Ladbrokes Switch Handicap
No.2 REGARDSMAREE – Georgina Cartwright a(2) (Barrier 2)
REGARDSMAREE is our final runner at Sandown and competes in the Ladbrokes Switch Handicap over 1600m, with Georgina Cartwright riding claiming two kilograms.
Backing up eight days after his competitive run at Caulfield, he is down in class today and with plenty of scratchings in this race weakening it further. From barrier two he will be in the first half of the field and be looking to pounce on the leaders in the last 200m. Only his second try at 1600m but his last start suggests he will relish that distance now and has fitness to match.
With even luck this is a very winnable race for him.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $4.40 (as at 8am)