3 minute read

The Group 3 Manfred Stakes at Sandown is shaping as an open affair with a number of strong and winning form lines brought into the contest.

The Manfred Stakes was elevated to Group 3 status in 2014 and understandably so when looking at the winners of the event during renewals over the past decade.

Three-year-olds such as Haradasun, Nicconi, Denman and Mosheen have used the event as a launch pad into the autumn either after springs in which they tasted Group 1 success or before Group 1 success later in their preparations.

The 2015 renewal is shaping as a strong one also with the field of 12 possessing eight last start winners.

Some of the form lines are stronger than others however sifting through them is a task.

The openness of the event is highlighted when looking at betting for the contest with half the field quoted at single figure odds.

First run from a spell, Affirmation has an abundance of appeal at his genuine each way quote as of Monday morning.

The Tony McEvoy-trained gelding resumes off a two start winter campaign where he yielded victories at both Morphettville and Caulfield.

The latter in particular was impressive, settling worst than midfield before peeling deep around the turn.

He made quick headway upon straightening and by the 100m had hit the front before drawing clear for a three length win.

The son of Not A Single Doubt ran to a Timeform rating of 103p in the event ahead of Club Star and Our Kaboom.

Admittedly, form out of the race has yet to be franked by the placegetters and also rans however the ease in which Affirmation accounted for them suggests he is at another level.

His latest trial was an eye catcher at Randwick over 1050m where he ran second to another talented three-year-old in Sarajevo.

Expect the gelding to settle midfield from barrier six and hopefully unleash the powerful turn of foot we’ve seen him produce in the past upon straightening.

With the benefit of race fitness, Bascule has appeal third run from a spell.

The Thorn Park colt won on resuming at Flemington before placing at the course over 1400m last start.

He settled worse than midfield and was closing well late behind The Bowler.

Bascule had a tendency to overrace on that occasion however is still at the point of his career where he will be taking valuable experience from each raceday outing.

He is yet to run a bad race in five career starts and no different is expected here.

Petrology resumes after concluding his spring campaign with back to back stakes successes.

The colt returns to the scene of the crime on Monday having concluded his spring campaign with a career best win in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m).

His best displays to date have come over further than the 1300m on offer here.

David Hayes and Tom Dabernig are preparing the colt for further races into the autumn however the son of Fastnet Rock should have the class to perform fresh.

Fast Cash built upon an excellent four start maiden campaign in the spring when winning first up at Moonee Valley on January 3.

Given all of the favours near the fence from an inside barrier courtesy of Vlad Duric, the gelding recorded a 1.8 length win.

He will have taken fitness from the outing and having drawn barrier 2 on Monday, the pair should again enjoy a cosy run in transit.

The last start winners continue looking down the field.

San Nicasio was also a first up winner at Moonee Valley while Java has quickly worked through his grades winning all three starts this campaign.

The Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1300m) is a noticeable class rise for each of them however both give every indication they are progressive types who can handle the step up in their stride.

Monday’s feature event at Sandown is an intriguing one however if Affirmation can build upon what he showed us during the winter, the gelding could take beating and represents great value in an open contest.