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Sandown City of Greater Dandenong Stakes race preview
04 December 2015 10:41 AM
Sandown was rated a Good 3 at 7.30 am on Friday morning. The weatherman says sunshine all weekend so throw the wet form away.
Race 7 on the card is the Listed City of Dandenong Stakes over the 1000m course. It's one of the fairest there is over this distance with a 400m sprint before a generous turn into the 491 metre long straight.
Early favourite in the race is the Mark Kavanagh trained Wild Rain. Looked good first-up when she came close to beating The Quarterback on a Heavy track. Then followed up on a Good 4 from a tricky barrier to lose by a nose at Ballarat last Saturday. Good early speed and barrier 6 gives her every chance to go one better this week.
Tuscan Sling hasn't done much wrong in her three runs this preparation. Solid win first-up, then good finish after running wide at Caulfield and great result on Heavy last start. The freshen-up will not harm her chances either. Hasn't finished outside of a place this distance on a good track from 6 starts and with strong speed from 9 and 12, should get a nice sit behind them.
Reldas also boasts three solid runs this preparation with some strong form lines. Carries an extra 3kg this time. Like the speed maps for him here with hot speed in the race. He will lose no momentum taking a back position from the start and has a nice wide straight to use for victory, even with the rail out 8 metres.
Diamond Oasis obviously wasn't going last start with a disappointing 10 lengths last at Rosehill on a Heavy track. Run before that was good and then faded in the dying stages first-up at Rosehill. Hard to build confidence on that form but a win wouldn't surprise.
Java has run okay this campaign in slightly harder races than this. Has good early speed that should see him forward in the running. Might be looking for this shorter distance. Has the ability to win.
Danger Close resumed well at the Valley running a solid fifth 2 lengths behind in a benchmark 90. The race suits his back marker style and he has a great second-up record. Chance.
Office Bearer also resumed well running third 1.8 lengths to The Quarterback in heavy going. Most wins have come from distances a bit further than this but another one who will be suited by the pace up front.
Grane won well last week. More weight here but pattern should suit again.
Beau Rada is an improver who will benefit from a big weight drop although opposition is tougher here. Chance.
Best of the rest Pretty Possum.
1st #11 Tuscan Sling ticks all the boxes here with good form, race to suit and a nice freshen-up.
2nd #10 Danger Close
3rd #5 Reldas
Mike Steward