Lindsay Park will look at race composition and the weather before deciding whether they will have dual starters in the Anniversary Vase at Sandown.
Trainers Ben and JD Hayes have Excelida and Biometric entered in the Listed race over 1400m on Saturday and will run the former.
However, they are considering a Warrnambool option for Biometric, although the gelding’s dislike for wet tracks might see him line up against his stablemate on Saturday.
“We’ll most likely accept on Saturday, but we’ll look at the draw, have a look at the in the speed and the composition of the field,” Ben Hayes said of Biometric.
“But he doesn’t like it wet, so we’ll keep an eye on the weather also as to whether we run on Saturday or keep him for Warrnambool.”
Despite the Anniversary Vase, this year run at Sandown having been held at Caulfield previously, being still four days away, Hayes is bullish about the chances of Excelida.
A benchmark 78 grade winner at Caulfield on Boxing Day, Excelida has raced three time since, finishing third in Listed and Group 3 company, along with a fifth-place finish in another Group 3 contest.
It was Excelida’s last start third behind Ayrton and Streets Of Avalon in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 16 that has Hayes excited.
He added the long run home on the hillside track at Sandown was also to her advantage.
“It was a huge run at Caulfield last start,” Hayes said.
“She was beaten by two good horses, and she’s come out of it excellent, so I’m expecting her to be competitive.
“She really deserves a stakes race win and Sandown should suit her.
“She’s run well at Sandown before and we’ve kept her nice and fresh through her whole campaign, and if she can repeat her last start, I’m sure she’ll be right in the finish on Saturday.”
