Lee Freedman’s handy galloper The Ruffian is engaged to run in the opening event on the program at Betfair Park Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday in a 0-72 race for three year olds over 1300m but will need to overcome the top weight of 59kg to take out the race worth $30k.
The Lonhro gelding ran a first up third at Moonee Valley behind the Patinack trained Off And Laughing and the slight step up in trip combined with added race fitness should see the 3yo run extremely well.
He ran in the Group One Coolmore Stakes at Flemington last prep behind Star Witness but he may have had enough after a long prep as he failed to fire. His only danger on Wednesday looks to be New Zealand import Blackie from the Mick Kent yard who impressively won his Australian debut at Kyneton a fortnight ago.
Race Field:
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Penalty | Handicapper Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | THE RUFFIAN | Lee Freedman | Ben Melham | 7 | 59 | 70 | |
| 2 | BLACKIE (NZ) | Michael Kent | Brad Rawiller | 5 | 57.5 | 66 | |
| 3 | COMMANDING TIME | Brendan McCarthy | Danny Nikolic | 8 | 57 | 65 | |
| 4 | SERTORIUS | Jamie Edwards & Bruce Elkington | Jake Noonan (a2) | 1 | 55.5 | 62 | |
| 5 | ROLL (NZ) | Robert Hickmott | 6 | 55 | 61 | ||
| 6 | TYCOON ROB (NZ) | Doug Harrison | Dwayne Dunn | 3 | 54.5 | 60 | |
| 7 | WEIGHTED | Robert Hickmott | Nicholas Hall | 2 | 54.5 | 60 | |
| 8 | DEL PALIO | Colin & Cindy Alderson | Dean Yendall | 4 | 53 | 57 |
Written by Xavier Blair
