Undefeated South Australian three year old Lord Aspen has drawn nicely in the middle of the field in the Group 2 $300,000 Sportingbet Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Sandown on Saturday.
Lord Aspen will get a good run from his midfield barrier draw in the Sandown Guineas. Photo by Sarah Ebbett.
Lord Aspen came up with gate six in the thirteen horse field and is certain to be given another superb ride by Adelaide jockey Matthew Neilson.
Murray Bridge trainer Mick Huxtable was excited when Lord Aspen won the Listed $150,000 Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes (1400m) at Flemington last Saturday and had no qualms about giving the Good Journey gelding one more run before he heads to the paddock prior to preparing for the 2015 Autumn Carnival.
Huxtable has a high opinion of Lord Aspen and has already ear marked next year’s Autumn and Spring Carnivals for the undefeated gelding.
“He is going to be a good horse next time, he is just a lovely horse,” Huxtable said.
“He will be back in the autumn and probably have a light couple of runs and then be set for the spring.”
The Darren Weir trained Stratum Star is sure to get the run of the race form barrier two with Kerrin McEvoy taking over from Brad Rawiller who has been aboard the Stratum colt for his last three Spring Carnival appearances.
Stratum Star made it back to back wins over Manhattan Avenue in the Listed $120,000 Yellowglen Vintage Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on October 4 and the Listed $120,000 Crown Lager Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 18 before running second to Kermadec in the Group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 1.
David Hayes and Tom Dabernig will saddle up two runners in the Sandown Guineas with both three year olds drawing out wide.
Flemington Sires Produce winner Zululand drew nine while last start winner Petrology will jump from the outside of the field at thirteen.
Zululand has been struggling to regain his good Autumn form and was beaten three lengths last start when sixth after leading in the Group 2 $200,000 Dilmah Exceptional Teas Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 while Petrology has hit form at the right time with a win in the Listed $150,000 Connoisseur Stakes (1800m) at Flemington on Crown Oaks Day.
The Tom Hughes trained Chill Party acquitted himself well when second to Petrology and will probably settle in the second half of the field from barrier eight with Brian Werner to ride again.
Domesday gelding Ducal Castle caught the eye coming from well back in the field for a last start third in the Hilton Hotels & Resorts Stakes and has drawn the rails with Peter Moody sticking with Daniel Stackhouse.
The well-bred Careless from the all-powerful Godolphin stable will get his chance for a Spring Carnival win with James McDonald to ride again from barrier five and is likely to improve on his latest fifth in the Carbine Club Stakes.
