3 minute read

With New South Wales' racing abandoned due to the apocalyptic conditions, Racing and Sports have reviewed the meeting at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday and found two horses to follow.

Race 4: Grid

It's that time of year where we start to see some of the Robert Hickmott imports pop up in benchmark races and Grid certainly piques some interest. The 4YO entire had raced six times for one win in the UK and did boast some attractive form lines that will be recognisable to Australian pundits. In April of last year Grid ran 3rd to a horse named Fourhometwo, who two starts later beat home Cox Plate winner State Of Rest and Australia Stakes 2nd placegetter Sinawann. There was some support to suggest Grid would run well at Sandown on Wednesday and he showed heart to go down by a head after leading at a slow tempo. It wasn't a vintage BM64 by any means but of the field, Grid clearly has the most scope to improve and with added fitness and a more conducive race shape, expect him to be hard to beat in a similar race next time out.

Race 8: Always On My Mind

This beautifully bred 3YO by Deep Impact out of Stay With Me (Street Cry x Miss Finland) put in an eye catching win on debut at Pakenham, coming from near last to win in exciting fashion. She stepped up in trip on Wednesday to the 1600m at BM64 level and perhaps wasn't suited by racing closest to the inside, having to come off heels in the straight whereas the winner had an uninterrupted passage down the outside. Her last furlong and particularly last 100m was very strong, and she looks a filly that will get better over further and with more time to wind up on the outside of horses. Whether any 3YO Group class targets come a bit soon for her this preparation, expect her to keep improving and excel once she gets over 2000m in the Spring with a spell under her belt.