Lightly raced three-year-old Take the Faith will be out to help balance the books for trainer Dan O’Sullivan with a successful graduation to city racing at Sandown.
O’Sullivan has had frustrating season with five winners and 18 second placings from 72 runners, but four winners from 14 runners this month may have turned the tide.
“I just want to balance it out a bit,” O’Sullivan said.
Take The Faith has been part of a form revival for the O’Sullivan stable, impressing at his last start leading all the way in a six-horse field at Ararat on November 6.
It was only his fifth race start and his first win but the way he scored suggests he may have found his niche over 1600 metres which is the distance of Wednesday’s Le Pine Funerals Handicap at Sandown.
“He only beat a small field at Ararat but there was a little bit of depth to it and he won with good authority,” O’Sullivan said.
He said there was no specific plan to lead but when he drew gate one and began so well he was left in front and coasted home by more than three lengths.
“He controlled the race in front but I think he has a better turn of foot when he comes off them,” O’Sullivan said.
“The distance (1600 metres) seems to suit him and it looks a suitable race for him tomorrow.
“Looking through the form there didn’t look to be too many who had been competing in town very much so it’s a nice progressive step for him.”
Take The Faith, a son of Keep The Faith, has only nine rivals at Sandown in what looks a competitive race with every runner being a winner.
Dean Yendall won on Take tTe Faith at Ararat and takes the mount again at Sandown where TAB Sportsbet has quoted the gelding fourth favourite at $8.
Peter Moody-trained Brambles, a last start three-length maiden winner at Seymour, dominates the market at $2.60 from Sale debut winner Jungle Ranger ($6) and Destiny’s Kiss ($7.50), who was maiden winner at Moonee Valley two starts ago.
Greg Eurell has scratched French Tang leaving him with two runners – Bendigo maiden winner De Triomphe ($11) and Cranbourne maiden winner French Caution ($18).
AAP TURF
