3 minute read
Honest galloper Saneyev can bounce back to winning form in today's distance showcase race at Ballarat – the Westag Handicap (race 6).
The lightly raced gelding is named after Russian triple jumper Viktor Saneyev who won gold at three consecutive Olypmics in 1968, 1972 and again in 1976.
Prepared by Tony Vasil at Caulfield, the four legged Saneyez is racing well this campaign and despite a wide gate looks hard to beat over the 2200m journey.
He resumed this campaign with a fast finishing fourth over an unsuitable 1325m at Geelong, an eye catching run given with more luck he would have finished even closer.
Up to 1400m here he drew wide and settled last, turning there, before running on hard to finish third.
Up to a mile at Cranbourne, it was no surprise to see him further improved where he started favourite for jockey Jamie Mott.
Settling closer in the run and turning midfield, he steered a passage home to score a narrow win.
Last start, up to 1900m in an RB68 he had a wide gate and rolled forward to sit fourth early before edging closer around the bend.
Setting out for home he ran on strongly but just couldn't overcome Streets Of Seattle, finishing a head second.
Today, again in an RB68, Mott is back aboard replacing apprentice Jake Noonan.
He has drawn wide in barrier 10 today but is fitter again, suited by the longer journey and has placed both runs at the course.
With even luck he should be in the finish again.
The Robbie Griffiths trained No Dispute is fitter for two runs back from a spell and ready to improve.
The gelding came to hand quickly last campaign, winning second up over this journey by five lengths at Bairnsdale then scoring again over 2211m third up at Sale, again by a space.
This time in he resumed over 1780m at Stony Creek and ran on well for fourth, beaten only two lengths, before stepping up to 1900m in the race where Saneyez was a narrow second.
No Dispute drew the inside and drifted back along the fence, sitting second last throughout, before running on late to finish fifth, beaten 2.5 lengths.
He meets the runner up a kilo better, has drawn well, is fitter again and will relish the extra journey.
He should be in the finish over this longer trip now.
The Terry O'Sullivan trained Lady Fyans is no star but always gives a good sight and should be doing the same again here.
The mare was a second up winner over a mile at Stawell then turned in a poor effort in much tougher grade in town before running better at Stawell over 2000m when placed.
Last start was over 2300m here where she led until well into the straight before being run down, finishing a 2.2 length fifth.
Today she races in the same grade but drops a kilo and with little pressure up front will give a big sight again.
Try Pickle drops in grade for this and may appreciate the longer journey now.
Fresh up he finished third over 1100m at Bendigo then over 1400m at Geelong was winding up only late when sixth.
Up to a more suitable 1800m in town last time he found the company a bit strong but did battle home well at the finish.
He drops in grade for this, is fitter again and should be further improved.