Trainer John Moloney will take four horses to Sandown without having to worry about how three of them handle the track as they have already tasted success there.
The Moloney trio to have scored at the course are last-start Sandown Lakeside victor Imperial Lad, dual Hillside winner Sunday Pray and sprinter Fine Dane, who has had one start there for a win.
While Moloney doesn’t dismiss the chances of that trio, it’s Milton Park who excites him most.
He is hoping the promising three-year-old can also become a Sandown winner on Saturday as he has big plans for him.
“Hopefully Milton Park, who has never been there, can join them as a winner on the circuit. It should suit him as he needs a big track,” Moloney said.
Milton Park resumed from a spell recently with a first up win at Flemington over 140 metres in a benchmark 70 race to take his record at that distance to three starts for three wins.
“That he ran well was no surprise but the way he did it in the finish was pleasing,” Moloney said.
Milton Park will stay at that distance on Saturday when he runs in the 1400 metre Tile Importer Handicap for three-year-olds.
Moloney has nominated Milton Park for the 2021 Australian Guineas and he hopes the horse can prove he’s on track for that race.
“It’s still to be determined whether he has the talent for the Australian Guineas but what we do know is that he seems to have good talent,” Moloney said.
“The only run he didn’t do as well was at Moonee Valley where he didn’t get around the circuit yet was only beaten two lengths.
“I think he’s pretty exciting. He’s only beaten restricted grade, this is another test but if he keeps performing we’re hoping he can progress to the Australian Guineas.”
Moloney said if Milton Park ran well he would have his next start in the C S Hayes Stakes at Flemington on February 13, which would be his lead-in to the Group One Australian Guineas.
