Dual stakeswinner Hollowlea is set to spring an upset in the Group Three Standish Handicap at Flemington after an encouraging comeback run earlier this month.
Hollowlea has been unwanted in early betting at $31 with TAB Sportsbet for Monday’s 1200-metre feature sprint but trainer Terry O’Sullivan is thrilled with the four-year-old’s improvement since finishing 10th at Flemington on December 10.
Having his first run in nine months after having bone chips out of both knees, Hollowlea surprised O’Sullivan when he led the field in the 1200-metre race and battled strongly to the line to finish only 3-1/2 lengths behind the winner Translation.
“When he led it was a bit of a surprise,” O’Sullivan said.
“He was a bit fresh with a big weight (58.5kg) and he could have dropped right off and I wouldn’t have been surprised or shocked but he was still well up there at the 100-metre mark and battled on pretty well.
“He needed the run and he has improved a lot from it.
“He’s done really well and I’m really happy with him.”
O’Sullivan has rung in key gear changes with blinkers and a tongue tie both coming off Hollowlea for the Standish.
Hollowlea’s best form has been when ridden off the pace and jockey Blake Shinn will be instructed to find cover from the second widest barrier in the 17-horse field.
“We will certainly ride him a bit off the speed and hope he runs on,” O’Sullivan said.
Hollowlea has the potential be to be one of the longest-priced Standish winners.
Watchyerback ($13, 2007), Publishing ($21, 2008) and King Hoaks ($17, 2009) have been among the most recent unexpected winners while Flemington course record holder, Iglesia ($3.50, 2001), is the last of four winning favourites in the last 25 years.
Adelaide sprinter Stirling Grove is $5 favourite ahead of topweight Catapulted ($5.50).
Ultimately O’Sullivan would like to target the Group One Australian Cup with Hollowlea given that he ran third in the 2010 Vase at Moonee Valley to Rekindled Interest and the ill-fated Lion Tamer who both went on to make their mark at weight-for-age.
“l’m really optimistic he (Hollowlea) may get to a good 2000-metre weight-for-age race,” O’Sullivan said.
O’Sullivan, who trains with his daughter Karina, is hoping Viva Delspec can give him his second win in the Listed Bagot Handicap (2800m) after landing the race with Water Snow in 1993.
Dean Yendall will ride Viva Delspec who two starts ago won over 2500 metres at Moonee Valley before copping a buffeting and finishing last over 2400 metres at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
O’Sullivan said Viva Delspec was a capable stayer who needed galloping room and from an outside barrier (17) should get his chance to loop the field.
“We will ride him a little bit cold and try and get to the outside where he can hopefully run on,” O’Sullivan said.
AAP TURF
