Demonstrate On The Drift In Sandown Guineas Betting

Demonstrate is out to 2015 Sandown Guineas odds of $10, but trainer John O’Shea remains confident that the consistent gelding will perform well in the Group 2 event at Sandown tomorrow.

James McDonald will partner Demonstrate in the 2015 Sandown Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

James McDonald will partner Demonstrate in the 2015 Sandown Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Demonstrate has only recorded two wins from 11 race starts and he has been up and racing since May, but he has been one of the most consistent three-year-old performers of the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival.

The New Approach gelding stamped himself as a potential contender at Group level when he scored a narrow win over Star Planet and Destiny’s Reward in the 1Print Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley on August 1 and he had no luck whatsoever when fourth behind Gold Symphony in the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 15.

Demonstrate made up plenty of ground late to finish third behind Gold Symphony and Ready For Victory in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 29 and after a freshen-up he returned to racing with a third place finish in the Group 3 Red Anchor Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate Day.

Godolphin tried new tactics with Demonstrate in the Listed Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday and he battled home bravely to finish second behind Darren Weir-trained Palentino.

O’Shea told Racing Ahead that he was happy with the brave effort of Demonstrate last weekend and he believes that there will be a number of factors in the three-year-olds favour ahead of the 2015 Sandown Guineas this weekend.

“He just got left in front a lot earlier than James would have liked on Saturday,” O’Shea said.

“He was a bit of a sitting shot and he had a lot of weight.

“Level weights probably suit him a little bit better, he gets the gun run from three and the back-up will help him.

“It is a step in grade, but the weight scale suits him a bit better than the other day.

“He has only missed the placings twice in his career, so he is a good consistent galloper.

“We are happy enough with him.”

Demonstrate has drifted out to 2015 Sandown Guineas odds of $10 after opening at $8, while talented filly Don’t Doubt Mamma ($4.20) remains a clear favourite from Carbine Club Stakes winner Mahuta ($5.50), Lindsay Park-trained He’s Our Rokkii ($7.50), the lightly-raced Ngarimu ($9) and Murray Baker-trained Dal Cielo ($10).

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Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.