The in form Grand Sunday from the John Sadler stable will take on his toughest test to date in the Browns Sawdust & Shavings RST 78 (2000m) Handicap at Mornington today.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The five-year-old gelding comes into the race in career best form and will be shooting for three wins in a row after winning by 10 lengths at Werribee two back before accounting for a handy field at Sandown last start.
Glen Boss who has ridden the gelding in his last two runs will maintain the ride and although he stays in the same class, will be required to carry an extra 2kg on his last start win.
Grand Sunday, who is by Japanese sire Tayasu Tsuyoshi rates amongst the leading chances on weight adjusted Timeform ratings and if he can continue his recent form he will take plenty of beating in this field.
His highest peak Timeform rating came last start and he seems to be improving with every run of late.
The main danger appears to be the Sydney raider Peck, from the Peter Snowden stable who has not quite lived up to expectations this campaign but drops back in grade after running third in his last three in Saturday metropolitan company.
He is yet to win a race on slow-heavy going but has placed a number of times and is sure to be running on strongly over the concluding stages, although with 59.5kg to carry, won't want to be leaving it too late.
Well backed at Warwick Farm last start, Peck worked clear over the final 200m and ran on well but was still safely held by over three lengths on that occasion.
It has been over a year since his last win and this will be his first start in Victoria since 2010.
Hot Power looks to be another interesting runner in this field, placing in his last four, the most recent behind Grand Sunday at Sandown who he meets 2kg better at the weights.
Does not win out of turn but has not been far away and is likely to keep these very honest from barrier 5.
The Robert Smerdon-trained African Heat also stays under notice after a last start win and stable is firing at present. He seems to have hit some form in recent times and will have taken plenty from the last start win.
There does not appear to be a great deal of speed on in this small field with no natural leader however Kuitpo Lad looks the most likely to take up the early running with Grand Sunday able to settle around midfield or even closer with not much speed on.
It looms as a very interesting race with a majority of these winning or placing in their last run, but expecting Grand Sunday to be very hard to beat on best form.
