Lloyd Williams could have three runners in the 2014 Sandown Cup after Green Moon, Sea Moon and Massiyn were all included in the nominations for the Listed event that will be held at Sandown this weekend.
Green Moon could step-up to 3200 metres for the 2014 Sandown Cup this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Green Moon missed the 2014 Melbourne Cup due to a cracked hoof, but has recovered well from the issue and is set to return to racing, for the first time since he finished ninth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), this weekend.
The Montjeu entire has been included in the nominations for both the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m) and Sandown Cup; with the Macedon Lodge team set to make a decision on Wednesday to determine which race the 2012 Melbourne Cup winner will contest.
Sea Moon was a late withdrawal from the Melbourne Cup after being found with an elevated temperature and has also been included in the nominations for both the Zipping Classic and Sandown Cup.
The six-year-old started his spring preparation with a disappointing fifth in the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington on October 4 and finished at the tail of the field in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m); with Williams admitting that the Beat Hollow entire has been a frustrating training proposition.
Rounding out the Williams-owned duo in the 2014 Sandown Cup nominations is Massiyn, who is yet to record a race win in ten starts in Australia.
Massiyn started his spring preparation with a promising sixth in the Caulfield RSL Welfare Plate (1700m) on September 28, finished tenth in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and fourth in the City Jeep Handicap (2040m) before he was narrowly denied a maiden race win in Australia in the Listed Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 29.
One of the most interesting horses in the Sandown Cup nominations is Chris Waller-trained Grand Marshal, who will be stepping up to black type level for the first time in his racing career.
Grand Marshal recorded the first race win of his spring preparation when he took out the Alpha Flight Services (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on October 25 before he stamped himself as a horse to watch with a narrow win over Renew in the Visit Victoria Plate (2800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Prince Of Penzance finished a tough second behind Le Roi in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on Saturday, but he is on track to back-up in the Sandown Cup, while he likes of OTI Racing-owned Renew, Melbourne Cup runner Unchain My Heart, Australian Oaks runner-up Zanbagh and Peter Moody-trained Ancient King have all been included in the Sandown Cup nominations.
