3 minute read

Lightly raced galloper Kipsiro looks hard to hold out in a very even race in today's Le Pine Funerals Handicap (race 6) at Sandown Hillside.

The Robert Smerdon trained gelding is going well this campaign and should appreciate the longer 1800m journey in this RB72 handicap.

The gelding, a four year old son of Secret Savings, has raced only six times for two wins and a second.

Last campaign he relished the longer journey when out to a mile at Cranbourne and after settling just off the leader took over on the turn and ran away to win by almost five lengths on heavy ground.

He then headed here over 1800m and again struck a heavy track.

It was tough going, though, as he went back from a wide gate and never got into the race, passing a few in the run home but finishing a well held fifth.

Smerdon sent the gelding for a spell and he resumed over 1200m at Cranbourne with an impressive win.

Drawing wide and settling near last, he rounded up his rivals in the straight and ran on with a 1.5 length win.

Up to 1400m at Ballarta last time he tackled an RB68.

Drifting back to midfield, he again got home well and ran into second, beaten only a head behind Attivita.

Today Kipsiro he will strip fitter for those two runs and looks suited as he gets pout to the longer journey again.

Leading senior rider Damien Oliver takes over from the apprentice of last start and he has drawn okay in barrier seven.

He looks well placed here and should prove hard to hold out again.

There will be plenty of stiff opposition in an open race, though, including Mr Bisset who looks well placed at the longer trip today.

The Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra trained gelding was consistent through his last campaign in city company, rounding it out with a second over 2000m at Caulfield then a fourth over 2400m there.

After a long spell he might have been a bit rusty and kicked off over 1400m at Flemington with a fast finishing three length sixth.

He then improved second up over 1500m here with a fast finishing third in this class, carrying the same weight.

Today the longer journey looks ideal and one of his wins was third up.

He should also prove hard to hold out at the finish.

Cheviot Beach is also fitter for two runs back from a spell and should be ready to show his best.

After a solid sixth when fresh over 1400m at Cranbourne he stepped up to 1800m here last time and ran on strongly, just failing when beaten in a photo behind Ruse de Guerre.

He will be fitter again and gets the chance to go one better.

Peter Moody's Rock Of Ages should appreciate stepping out in journey to this trip for the first time today.

The mare has a solid overall record and with stable rider Luke Nolen aboard she should be prominent throughout form an ideal gate.

Monte Bella, in the Mick Price camp, is racing well and despite an awkward gate should also go forward and give a big sight.