With an exciting week behind us, we move forward to a busy day at Sandown on Wednesday. The metropolitan race meeting will feature four runners in the OTI colours, including Rivaport, Marchons Ensemble, Funambulist and Aesop.
The first race on Wednesday is expected to feature 5yo mare Rivaport and 5yo gelding Funambulist, the latter having travelled down from Sydney after his last start placing at Warwick Farm.
Rivaport recorded her first Australian win at Sandown in March this year and is yet to repeat her winning performance for connections. While she won over a mile then, the mare will go up in distance again, racing over 2400m for only the second time in her racing career. Trainer Grahame Begg thinks highly of the mare and with Blake Shinn back on board, she will certainly be given every chance in the race.
Funambulist comes into the race in good form after a pleasing win at Hawkesbury two starts back. The 5yo has had a progressive campaign with trainer Annabel Neasham and will appreciate the big track and soft surface. Celine Gaudray will take the ride from barrier 5, claiming 2kg.
See the full field and all race details for both horses here.
The following race includes the Phillip Stokes trained 6yo gelding Aesop amongst the acceptors, who comes into the race third up after some issues in his more recent, below-par run. With four weeks between runs, the gelding has had time to freshen up and has been pleasing in his work. He will be ridden by Ben Allen and jumps from the outside barrier.
See all race details and the full field here.
While most of our runners are in the middle of their preparation, Marchons Ensemble‘s campaign is just commencing. His last win at the Warrnambool Carnival in 2022 on a Heavy 10 track displayed his undoubted talent, with things not going to plan since. With a lengthy spell and positive trial at Moe in early June, the Busuttin team believes the 6yo is ready to return to the races on Wednesday, albeit that he is likely to find the 1200m too short.
Marchons Ensemble will make his return in the BM70 over 1200m with Celine Gaudray claiming 2kg off his back. See the full field and all race details here.
Best of luck to all connections on Wednesday!