European import Dr Drill will be out to register his first win in 13 months when he runs at Sandown.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained six-year-old son of Dansili runs in the Ladbrokes Bet Ticker Handicap (1800m) on Saturday.
The 1800m contest will be the first time Dr Drill has competed in a non-black type event since winning the Scone Cup (1600m) in May last year.
Dr Drill recorded placings in the Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m) last October, a race he won in 2019, and last start, when second to Lord Vladivostok in the Group 3 R A Lee Stakes (1600m) at Morphettville on May 15.
And Eustace said a nice piece of work on Tuesday morning has the team confident Dr Drill can get back into winning form under the guidance of Matthew Cartwright who will claim 3kg which brings the gelding in with 57kg.
“He’s really well and he worked really well on Tuesday,” Eustace said.
“We were confident he would put in a good performance in Adelaide, which he did and he’s come through it really well.
“I think he’s got a great chance. The 18 (1800m) will pose no problems.
“Matthew is on board, he’s riding well. He’s not a big horse so the claim will really help.”
Of a minor concern for Eustace is the state of the track which was rated in the heavy range on Friday but if the predicted rain, between 1mm and 6mm, stays away on Saturday it may improve to the soft range.
“He’s a winner on a (soft) seven,” Eustace said.
“Although I would say a four-slash-five is perfect for him, he should get through it alright.”
