Trainer Andrew Bobbin had no hesitation in voting for an increase in distance for the VRC St Leger which will this year be run at Sandown.
The Listed race was scheduled to be run at Flemington on Anzac Day, but with racing cancelled in Victoria on Tuesday following the death of Dean Holland in a race fall at Donald on Monday, the St Leger now forms part of a 10-race card at Sandown on Saturday.
Bobbin will saddle last start Swan Hill maiden winner Pulveriser in the race for three-year-olds and the trainer believes the 3000m journey, an increase of 200m on the distance at Flemington, will be ideal.
“I really think Pulveriser is going to run a really good race,” Bobbin said.
“With it being transferred to Sandown, Racing Victoria called all the trainers on Tuesday and as Sandown doesn’t have the 2800 (metres) they asked for a vote on whether we wanted the race to be 2400 metres or 3000 metres.
“With Pulveriser, 3000 metres is certainly his go, and ideally the further the better.
“He was good there at Swan Hill on a heavy track over 2400 (metres) and he was finishing off strongly and looking as though he wants ground.
“Sandown is the ideal track for him. He needs to relax, but he’ll be charging home and I think he’s better than what his price suggests, and he’ll finish in the first half.”
Pulveriser ploughed through the Swan Hill mud to win on a Heavy track, but Bobbin said the son of Victoria Derby winner Preferment was not at home on the wet surface.
Rain is forecast ahead of the Sandown meeting on Saturday.
“I didn’t have a clue whether he would like it not before Swan Hill,” Bobbin said.
“Jack Hill, who rode him, didn’t think he appreciated it, so hopefully we don’t get too much rain, but whatever the surface is, he’s going to stay, and that’s half the challenge with these younger horses.
“If they can stick the distance, they’ll be featuring somewhere in the finish.”
