The HDR stable has one runner tonight in STAR OF MANHATTAN at Sandown
Sandown – Soft (5)
The track has come up a Soft 5 on race morning after a few overnight showers and plenty of irrigation across the week. The forecast is for fairly cold temperatures today, so the best it may get up to is a Good 4. The rail is out 5m having been true at the most recent meeting. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
Race 5 (4:50 pm) 50 Year Life Member – John Collins 1000m
No.5 STAR OF MANHATTAN – Blaike McDougall (Barrier 2)
STAR OF MANHATTAN (2) heads to Sandown on Wednesday, where she’ll contest a 1000m BM70 (Race 5, 4.50pm). The daughter of Zoustar has drawn gate two and Blaike McDougall will ride.
STAR OF MANHATTAN produced the 5th best last 400/200m splits of the meeting when hitting the line strongly at Ballarat first up. She had jumped out very well leading into that, and while she rises to a BM70 here it isn’t an overly strong BM70. She will lob right on speed along with DANCELITTLESISTER (6) and MOMMA SMASH (4) and should enjoy a nice run in the race. The sting out of the ground is an added bonus for a mare who has relished softer tracks in her short career to date, and the drop back to 1000m doesn’t concern with her career peak coming at the trip two starts back. This is a very winnable race for STAR OF MANHATTAN. (Form Analyst Matt Welsh)
The choice to send STAR OF MANHATTAN to Sandown today opposed to Albury Friday was based around the strength of field she competes with today. With the scratching of one runner she draws the inside gate and hopefully the chute will benefit her to settle on speed and be strong through the concluding stages. Sense of Honor looks the main danger in our eyes but with queries over what performance the Price-Kent runner will bring it shapes up to be a suitable race for STAR OF MANHATTAN.
TAB WIN Fixed Odds – $5 (as at 3 pm)