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Anthony Freedman’s Union Gap looks poised to cash in on a high-flying spring with victory in the Restricted 72 Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1400m) at Sandown Hillside this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The three-year-old is after a second career win, and shouldn’t have too much trouble against these if he’s come back anywhere near the level he was performing to last preparation.
The signs were positive two weeks back when he resumed in similar grade at this track, running second over 1000m. He settled at the rear carrying 60kg and worked home well finishing 1.3L behind the winning horse, Vital.
That run earned a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 76 – well down on what he was running in the spring, but open to plenty of improvement given he was over the unsuitable journey of five furlongs.
After winning a Bendigo maiden back in September over 1300m, running to 79 on weight-adjusted Timeform figures, Union Gap stepped up superbly to run third in the Listed Yellowglen Vintage Stakes (1410m) at Flemington.
He followed that up with a fourth-placed finish in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) on Derby Day at Flemington.
Both runs contained significant merit, leading to him standing right out in this relatively lowly 72 handicap.
The Yellowglen run was rated at 93. He was beaten home by Pronto Pronto and Limes, but it was the fourth-placed horse that day which has subsequently boosted the strength of the race.
That horse was Super Cool, who emerged as one of the country’s best three-year-olds later that spring.
Two runs after that Yellowglen, Super Cool beat home It’s A Dundeel in winning the Group 2 Mitchelton Wines Vase (2040m) at Moonee Valley. It’s A Dundeel is the odds-on favourite to win this Saturday’s Australian Derby at Randwick.
Super Cool then ran second to Fiveandahalfstar in the Victoria Derby, the same day Union Gap ran fourth in the Carbine Club. Both Super Cool and Union Gap were then spelled over the summer.
After running third in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) resuming, Super Cool won the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m), then held out his old sparring partner Fiveandahalfstar, and the likes of Green Moon and Mawingo, to win the Australian Cup (2000m) last month.
That form has stood up pretty well in Sydney with Fiveandahalfstar running second in the Group 1 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) before winning the $2.25m BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on Saturday.
Fiveandahalfstar was set to challenge It’s A Dundeel in Saturday’s Derby, but has been ruled out through injury.
The form around Union Gap’s Carbine Club run is also impressive, albeit not quite in the same lofty bracket as Super Cool.
Weight-adjusted ratings had Union Gap going to a career peak that day running to 96 behind Lunar Rise, Tatra and Proverb.
Those three horses went on to trifecta the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) a fortnight later, with Tatra this time getting the better of Lunar Rise.
Now it’s Union Gap’s turn to stand up.
His resuming run was solid enough. He was tucked away in a tight bunch, and eventually found a gap late on which allowed him to run into second spot.
The 1000m wasn’t ideal though, and with 400m more to play with today he should give a much better showing.
He sheds a kilogram and jockey Daniel Moor should be able to find a comfortable enough position in the run from barrier seven.
Union Gap won his maiden second-up last campaign, and should be able to improve that record here.
Given the capacity field, Moor can’t afford to be too cute because there’s a couple here capable of taking full advantage if he does get stuck in traffic too far back.
Peter Snowden’s Tiryns led all the way at Ballarat to only miss by a nose in Restricted 68 company over this trip.
That run earned him a weight-adjusted Timeform figure of 81 which is five pounds higher than what Union Gap produced resuming here two weeks ago.
Tiryns won his only other start third-up, and that was under the riding of Steven Arnold who jumps back on today.
If he gets his own way out in front, he’ll give Union Gap plenty to chase home.
Peter Moody also looks capable of exerting his influence on this one with the talented Liberty Rock, who has come back in a much more consistent horse since being gelded.
He resumed with a Benchmark 72 win at Ballarat returning an 87 on weight-adjusted Timeform figures.
He then ran right up to that mark last start when a narrow second at Kyneton 17 days ago.
Luke Nolen jumps back in the saddle today which is a positive sign, but he’s up to 1400m which has netted just one minor placing from two starts.
Still, he’s a handy galloper who can’t be dismissed.
Shane Fliedner’s Churchill Express and Matt Laurie’s Last Man Standing look the next two in line, before this big field tails off somewhat.
Should Union Gap run up to expectations in this one, watch out for him in Saturday grade next start.
