Sydney-sider Stanley Road rounded out his RSN Sandown Cup preparations with a pleasing trial on Saturday morning.
After a successful raid on the group 1 Fanta Bale Super Stayers in February, trainer Mark Gatt has again sent his charge to the care of Melbourne Cup winner trainer Paul Bartolo for his Victorian campaign and the pair were pleased with Stanley Road’s first gallop on the track.
“He trialled box-to-box from the 715m and got the third split time, that’s the only look he’s had at the track,” said Bartolo.
“He ran 30.60 (6.17, 15.85) and Mark was happy with it. I was watching him and he was virtually scraping the rail so he seemed to handle it well, and he’s a dog that will improve after a look at the track.”
That he stuck to fence bodes well for Thursday night’s heats given he has come up with box 1 in his bid for the world’s premier distance race. Stanley Road is unbeaten in three starts in the red vest, a fact that hasn’t been lost on connections.
“Mark reminded me of that, so there’s no pressure at all,” laughed Bartolo.
“But he’s feeling good, jumping out of his skin.
“I take him up to the You Yangs and he just loves it up there. I work him at home then go for a half an hour walk. That’s what we did last time so I’m not changing anything, he loved it.”
Stanley Road was favourite for the RSN Sandown Cup up until last Thursday night, when West Australian star Zack Monelli broke a split record on his way to a 41.49 victory. He was quickly trimmed to $3.60 before being backed in $3.
Zack Monelli ($2.50) retained favouritism for the final after also drawing box 1 in his heat, with Stanley Road ($3.50) the only other runner in single figures.
The winner and runner up of each of the four RSN Sandown Cup heats will progress to the $250,000 final on Thursday 27th May.
Also on a big night of racing this Thursday are the $145,000 group 1 finals, the Harrison-Dawson and Sapphire Crown.
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide for Thursday night’s group 1 meeting.
Click here for the latest RSN Sandown Cup market.
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