3 minute read
Yulong Baby can build upon a strong first up display when contesting the 1800m Benchmark 70 Handicap at Sandown on Wednesday.
The Mick Price-trained mare resumed in good order at Sale, settling back and working home strongly for a 1.3 length second behind Tom Melbourne.
Yulong Baby now rises marginally in grade and distance on the run in the William Hill Home Of In Play Betting Handicap (1800m).
It shapes as a nice progression for the daughter of Commands who will have taken plenty of benefit from that first up outing.
Furthermore, she has won second up in the past.
Yulong Baby tends to settle back in her races and with the rail out 12m at Sandown on Wednesday, this may not be ideal for her usual racing style.
That said, she lines up in just a small nine horse field and the booking of Damien Oliver is a major positive.
The mare rates highly amongst this field on her last start display and there is a high chance she will be improving on that run with added fitness second up.
The scratching of Darragh thins the race out in terms of scratchings.
Prix D’Or shapes as a main danger having finished third in the event Yulong Baby resumed in.
The pair meet on matching weight terms however the Mick Price-trained Yulong Baby brings substantially more upside into the contest.
Lotion has been fair through three starts this campaign.
The son of Good Journey shapes as an improver here though fourth up and rising to this trip.
Lotion’s career best win came at this trip 12 months ago when winning the Hill Smith Stakes at Morphettville.
It highlights what the gelding is capable of at his best and by this stage of his campaign, the David Hayes and Tom Dabernig-trained runner should be poised to show something more.
Yulong Baby profiles as the clear top pick however the race does possess a good amount of value runners.
Denonator was an eye catching first up winner over seven furlongs at Benalla 20 days ago.
The gelding is another early in his preparation open to further improvement.
Courageous Rock has mixed so far this campaign however the gelding at the same time has recorded consecutive successes at Cranbourne and Sale.
