Five-year-old Freereturn will be looking to complete his transition from maiden to open class this campaign with a grand final victory in the Betfair Handicap at Sandown.
After being winless in his first two preparations, the Jason Warren-trained galloper has switched on to the racing caper and has won five of his past seven starts.
“He has done a super job working his way all through the grades and could have almost gone seven from seven this campaign,” Warren’s racing manager Simon Lavery said.
His only defeats were a half length third when second up on a heavy track at Seymour on August 7 and at Sandown three starts ago when three-quarters of a length second to Another Prelate.
“At Sandown he got galloped on which might have cost him the race and, while he handles heavy tracks, it was probably not his favourite surface at Seymour and he got held up a little bit for a run,” Lavery said.
Ben Melham will ride Freereturn who is $4.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of last start Flemington winner Dash For Viz ($5) who he beat two runs ago in a 0-78 race at Sale.
Last start Freereturn defeated the stakes-placed mare Miss Elvee in another 0-78 event at Moonee Valley on November 11.
“We are absolutely thrilled with the horse but we think after tomorrow at Sandown he has probably done enough this campaign,” Lavery said.
“After getting galloped on he won really well at his last start and if he can put another win on the board tomorrow he will deserve a break.
“He’s been up a long time but we think he is still a little bit untapped and has more to offer.”
John Sadler-trained Under The Hat ($7.50) is among the biggest threats to Freereturn while Khas Kura ($11) returns to Melbourne for trainer Peter Snowden.
On his last visit Khas Kura finished sixth of seven to stablemate Kidnapped in the 2009 Sandown Guineas.
His only other Melbourne run was on debut when he met another first starter, Black Caviar, over 1000 metres at Flemington.
Black Caviar won by five lengths and Khas Kura finished just behind the minor placegetters in fifth place.
Khas Kura hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Listed Winter Stakes won by his stablemate Scarf in July.
AAP TURF