3 minute read

Benalla-trained galloper Grand Sai Wan looks ideally placed to grab a fifth career win in this afternoon’s Benchmark 70 Handicap (1600m) at Corowa.

The four-year-old son of Hotel Grand, trained by Peter Burgun, has been in excellent form over the past 12 months across two racing campaigns, and shouldn’t find this any tougher than what he’s been up against.

Grand Sai Wan has registered three wins in his past nine starts, and placed in his other five.

Most recently he ran second at Bendigo in Benchmark 72 grade beaten less than a length by the progressive Longeron.

That performance netted a Timeform figure of 87, equalling his best mark which came back in January last year when he was still under the tutelage of Anthony Cummings.

He’s fourth-up now and still looks to boast some upside this campaign.

This is arguably his best trip and given the scratchings of last-start winner The Boondock Saint, and Dashing Stars, Grand Sai Wan looks very hard to beat.

Brad Witt's Lexical Ambiguity and Brett Cavanough's Go Katrina rate the next best two, but will need to lift on recent performances.

Timeform takes a look at the chances of each horse in the race.

1. Price Of Glory - Had a freshen up after failing in the Wagga Cup when a disappointing sixth at Seymour over a similar trip last time. Should be better here but would prefer to see him back in form before supporting.

2. Grand Sai Wan - On pacer who failed at Moonee Valley then bounced back to finish a close second at Bendigo over this trip. Has a super record at the mile and will be cherry ripe fourth up from a brief spell.

3. Boston Tea - Was racing well this campaign before failing at Bendigo last start when stepping up to the mile for the first time this prep. Down in grade here and worth another chance.

4. Go Katrina - Has been flat in two runs this prep. Form in Melbourne last campaign was okay and this is a class drop for her. Blinkers go on so she must not be discarded.

5. Lexical Ambiguity - Failed in town before finishing second at Wagga over 1400m last start. Very consistent mare in this company who should box seat from the nice draw and looks tough to beat.

6. The Boondock Saint - SCRATCHED

7. Soward - Won an inferior race at Leeton two runs back then failed at Wagga last start. Not up to this.

8. Equal Rights - Form of late has been very poor and she will not get near these.

9. Bass Rock - Won over this course and distance two runs back in a BM50 then led but couldn't hang on when fourth at Werribee last time over 1637m. Gets in light after the claim and has minor claims.

10. Dashing Stars - SCRATCHED

11. Baa Ram Ewe - Improved effort last start when stepping up to the mile at Wagga, finishing hard for a 3.1 length fourth. Up in class here and might struggle.

12. Kleiner Teufel - Front runner who couldn't hold out The Boondock Saint last time over a mile at Wagga. Has a fine record at this trip but is not well placed in this grade.

13. Al’s Choice - Stormed home from the rear of the field to score at Albury last start over 1400m in a Class 2. Will find this tougher and has only a rough place chance at best.

14. Bogie And Bacall - Better run when second up at Wagga last start, coming from near the tail to finish fourth over 1400m. The step up to the mile is positive and he is not the worst at odds.

VERDICT: Grand Sai Wan put the writing on the wall with a solid placing last start at 1600m when third up. Will peak here and has a great affinity with hoop Shirley Hunter. Should get a nice run in transit and looks the goods. Lexical Ambiguity is suited by a mile in this grade and should be prominent for a long way. Look to Go Katrina to improve sharply in this class and with blinkers looks the X factor.