Trainer Cindy Alderson is looking to send in-form stayer Sea Galleon to Sydney for the Christmas Cup at Rosehill after his comfortable win at Sandown on Saturday.
Ridden by Peter Mertens, Sea Galleon, a five-year-old Galileo gelding, revelled in the wet conditions to score by four lengths from Musical Hit with Onerahi Bay two lengths away third.
Sea Galleon winning the D'Urban Handicap at Sandown - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Sea Galleon won over 2040 metres at Moonee Valley a week ago and relished the step up to 2400 in the D’Urban Handicap.
“He lapped up the conditions and I think he’s going to keep on improving as the distances progress,” Alderson said.
“I don’t know whether it’s maturity but he’s racing really well.
Alderson said she and her co-trainer father Colin Alderson had decided to back Sea Galleon up as there was not a lot on offer for him in Melbourne.
“I might even take him to Sydney for the Christmas Cup. I’ve always been keen to see him go that way.
“Every time we’ve worked him that way the rider has said he’s incredibly comfortable.”
The Listed $100,000 Christmas Cup (2400m) is at Rosehill on December 10.
Sea Galleon ran third in the Group One South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville as a three-year-old.
“He likes the cut out of the ground and it’s actually good to see him fulfil his potential,” Alderson said.
Sea Galleon was still an entire when he came back into work after running last to Moudre in the Group Three Queen’s Cup (2500m) during the spring of 2010.
But he was sidelined for several months after “tweaked” a ligament behind his knee.
“While he was still recuperating from that he was a little bit too colty and he wouldn’t settle down so to we gelded him,” Alderson said.
“Then he got a small infection and that put him out for a bit longer but I think it was to his advantage really.”
Sea Galleon has won three of his five starts since the 10-month lay-off.
The Sandown track started the day at a good (3) but heavy rain throughout the afternoon brought downgrades during the meeting which ended on a heavy (8).
AAP TURF
