Caulfield trainer Colin Scott is banking on rain late in the week to boost the chances of Speediness who is one of fifteen horses nominated for the Group 3 $150,000 Mack Tow Sandown Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Trainer Colin Scott is hoping for rain to help Speediness in the Sandown Stakes at Sandown. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Scott blames the firm Flemington track for Speediness’ out of character tenth to Hucklebuck in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday.
And he also noted that Speediness wasn’t at his best on a Good 2 rated track when thirteenth in the Group 1 $400,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield four starts back.
“The only thing I can put the run down to is the track, that’s twice he’s run on a Good 2 and twice he hasn’t gone a yard,” Scott told racing.com.
“In hindsight I can only blame myself because I should’ve scratched him as soon as the track was upgraded to a Good 2.”
Scott has reported that Speediness has pulled up fine after the Emirates Stakes and said if the forecast rain arrives on Friday he will give the seven year old one more run before sending him to the paddock.
“He seems to come have through the run well. He went straight to the water walker on Sunday and he hasn’t missed an oat,” Scott said.
“I have nominated him for the Sandown Stakes. He was going to go to the paddock but I looked at the weather and there’s supposed to be rain on Friday and Saturday.
“I’ll most likely accept with him but unless the track’s a Dead 4 or worse he won’t run.”
Speediness has been competing at the top level over the last twelve months and has recorded three placings at Group 1 level, including a second to Trust In A Gust in the Group 1 $400,000 David Jones NBCF Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield three runs back during this campaign.
With only fifteen horses nominated for the Sandown Stakes, the Melbourne Racing Club has extended nominations for the Quality Handicap until 10am on Tuesday, November 11 (Melbourne time).
An interesting runner will be the Gai Waterhouse trained French import Pornichet who will be having his second start for Tulloch Lodge after performing creditably at his Australian debut when one and a quarter lengths fourth to Hucklebuck in the Group 3 $200,000 Yellowglen Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 1.
Leon and Troy Corstens have two nominations for the Sandown Stakes in Felidea and General Groove, David Hayes and Tom Dabernig have entered their old warhorse Spacecraft and Robert Smerdon has Politeness who was beaten less than two lengths when seventh in the Group 1 $500,000 Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day.
