Sandown
Race 6 – Royal Tyke
Jockey – Blaike McDougall
1000m – Barrier 8
The first of the Dwyer runners at today’s twilight meeting is lightly-raced seven-year-old Royal Tyke. The Written Tycoon gelding has had just the one start with his new stable, failing to beat a runner home in a hot race at Warrnambool three weeks ago. His trial performances suggested he may perform better than he did that day and Dwyer is keen to see improvement from his newcomer this evening. He strikes another tough race here with some solid metropolitan gallopers taking their places in the field. Tax Free Prophet ran a bottler at The Valley last start following back-to-back wins at Mornington prior. Senegalia and Danaustar are both chances from the Maher/Eustace stable, and the chances go on. Royal Tyke will have his work cut out for him today but improvement is expected and he will be better suited down in grade next time out.
Currently, Royal Tyke is a $91 chance in the market.
Race 8 – Our Destrier
Jockey – Madison Lloyd
1400m – Barrier 3
Zoustar gelding Our Destrier faces a high rating benchmark-70 event as he works towards peak fitness third-up from a spell. The six-year-old has been sound at two runs back this preparation but cops some stiff opposition for a Wednesday class race and will need to be at his best to prove competitive. Apprentice jockey Madison Lloyd can give her runner every chance from a good draw in a race where many of the chances have drawn wide. Lindsey Smith’s promising galloper Sabar and Dan Bowman’s Miso both look good chances, but with no runners quoted under $4 it is going to be a tough race to pick the winner. Our Destrier doesn’t appear to be in that mix and will need plenty to go his way to earn a cheque here.
Currently, Our Destrier is a $151 chance in the market.