3 minute read
Top jockey Damien Oliver will today again commute to Sydney to link with premiership winning trainer Chris Waller for today's meeting at Canterbury.
And the pair have some excellent winning chances, including Sparton in the final race on the card – the Guineas Restaurant Handicap (race 7).
The race, a Benchmark 70 over 1580m, is a step up in grade for the lightly-raced gelding but he is a horse who was most impressive last start and is expected to measure up.
On debut, Sparton raced over 1300m at Newcastle and after settling off the speed ran home well for a three-quarter length third behind Memorable Moment.
He then stepped up to 1500m there and after drifting back on the inside, he turned last but ran on well for a 2.5 length fourth behind Bare Bear.
Sparton went for a spell before he returned at Randwick on the Kensington track on the back of a couple of trials.
Kicking off over 1300m, he settled off the speed from the wide gate but cruised to a four length win over Raised To Rock.
That has proved a strong form race with three subsequent winners finishing in his wake.
Waller has given the gelding a month between runs and has even saved him from a Saturday assignment for this.
He will strip fitter for a recent trial to keep him ticking over and is well placed by the longer journey.
From gate three he'll be sitting just off the speed and should prove the one to hold out again.
The Kris Lees-trained Deemed has been racing well this time in and looks a big danger.
The gelding was runner-up fresh-up form a break over 1200m, running on strongly to be beaten just a head.
He then raced over 1300m on the Kensington track at Randwick and after settling second last again ran on well to finish in the placings.
Last start, to 1500m at Hawkesbury in a Benchmark 65, he sat closer to the speed form the inside gate and ran on well for a half length win.
He got through heavy conditions without any problems in that win so should handle today's slow track.
The trip suits, he is fitter again and should be prominent throughout.
Positive Vibes is ready to break through after three runs from a spell.
The Joe Pride-trained gelding wasn't far away when eighth over 1200m fresh then didn't have a lot of luck over 1200m at Kembla Grange but flew home to finish runner-up.
Out to 1350m at Wyong, he drew off the track and covered ground throughout before boxing on well for a close-up fourth.
He hasn't had a lot go right this campaign but today drops nicely in the weights, has a better drawn and is suited by the longer trip.
He is a slow track winner so should be improved further for this.
Silent Reward has drawn out but in this small field will give a big sight.
