The Cove Hotel Benchmark 78 Handicap profiles as a strong middle distance event early in the afternoon at Sandown.

The second race of the program features a small but useful field comprised of a few particularly handy middle distance sorts.

Crimson Cape heads to Sandown in search of his third straight win.

After an underwhelming start to his latest campaign when well beaten at Geelong and Moonee Valley over sprint trips, Crimson Cape has come into his own since getting up over a trip.

The son of Savabeel made all over 1728m at Sale and then led throughout once again over 2000m at Flemington.

There is little to suggest he cannot do the same again in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (2100m) at Sandown on Wednesday.

Having worked beautifully into his latest campaign, Crimson Cape should be at his peak and should again work to the front in a race possessing minimal early speed.

Mark Zahra will endeavour to slow the field right down from the front during the early and middle stages.

If these soft sectionals to come to fruition, it should see the four-year-old tough to reel in over the concluding stages.

Crimson Cape’s main dangers seemingly come out of a Benchmark 70 at Warwick Farm three weeks ago.

Life O’Brien was the winner on that occasion.

The win was a genuine eye catcher, in what was a last to first success.

The son of High Chaparral on Wednesday is having the seventh run of a campaign where he is yet to run a bad race.

Also in Life O’Brien’s favour is his tractability, capable of running a race when ridden either positively or patiently.

With the anticipated slow tempo up front, the former is expected to be the case for Tony McEvoy’s runner today.

Cabalistic ran third in the same race when prominent throughout.

The gelding has improved with each start this campaign and can take another step fourth run from a spell.

After a 1.8 length defeat to Life O’Brien last start, Cabalistic now meets him 3.5kg better at the weights.

A case could be made for John O’Shea’s runner possessing more upside than Life O’Brien being earlier in his current preparation.

Seattleite is improving with each run this campaign and profiles as a value hope fourth run from a spell.

I’m A Tiger was strong to the line when second at this course and distance seven days ago.

The mare now drops noticeably in grade and can continue on with what has been a strong preparation split across two stables.

The Cove Hotel Benchmark 78 has the potential to be a solid form race moving forward.

Crimson Cape will take some catching in it however.