Peter Moody galloper Oregon Spirit can bounce back from an unlucky resuming run with a strong win at a wet Sandown Hillside this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
In a race decimated by scratchings, four as of early this morning including well-fancied pair Whatanexcuse and Guru Bob, Moody's four-year-old looks poised to take full advantage.
Two of his four wins have come in the wet and jockey Jason Benbow, who stays aboard today, has cantered this four-year-old back to the winner's circle on three occasions.
Oregon Spirit could easily be coming into today's Perri Cutten Restricted 82 Handicap (1400m) off a strong Saturday win at Caulfield.
Carrying 57kg in much stronger grade 18 days back, he settled in a midfield pocket before being dragged back and across heels to find some clear running room. He eventually wound up late under hands and heels to run a 0.7L fourth.
That run produced a respectable Timeform figure of 92, and snapped a brilliant run of form from last campaign which netted three wins and two minor placings in his last five starts.
He only carries an extra 1.5kg today, should be able to settle midfield like usual and in this smaller field shouldn't bump into any misfortune.
Up to the seven furlongs is a big positive too and the big weight won't worry him, even in the wet.
His biggest challenger today looks to be Rock Princess who loves it wet, and comes right into contention now with the early scratchings.
The four-year-old Elvstroem mare will be full of confidence after a last-start win in similar conditions at Kilmore two weeks back.
That was in a similar race to what she finds today, and landed a Timeform rating of 90 under the 54kg.
Today she gets a claiming apprentice in the saddle and only has to lug 51kg from barrier 12. Bear in mind she can be inconsistent at times, but if she runs up to her latest she can play a big role in this.
Of the rest, New Zealander Our New Order is worth keeping safe.
His first 15 starts were all in his home country and netted an impressive five wins, and he's used to running in the mud which he'll strike again today.
In five runs over the 1400m he's landed two wins and two minor placings, and four of his wins have been running in the anti-clockwise direction which he gets again today.
He can sit up on the speed or camp in midfield and run on, and looks to be the wildcard in this field.
Meanwhile, Lord Wimble could just be worth tossing into multiples given the amount of big-name scratchings.
He won in the wet at Warrnambool over this trip three starts back carrying a whopping 60kg, and with the claiming apprentice today gets himself down to 56kg.
Since that win he ran a second in slightly easier than this at the Sandown Lakeside track before he was outclassed in an open mile at Caulfield.
Back in this grade he looks a solid each-way hope.
