Emerging stayer Straand Deal could make a play for an interstate trip if successful at Sandown.
The Lloyd Kennewell-trained galloper runs in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Handicap (2400m) looking to potentially earn a trip to Queensland.
The Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast on July 4 will be under consideration for the lightly raced Straand Deal if successful on Saturday.
Half Yours won the Caloundra Cup last year before going on to claim the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup double.
“The old cliche we’ll take it one run at a time, and we’ll see how he goes Saturday, but if he won well, I’m thinking we may take him to the Sunshine Coast for the Caloundra Cup,” Kennewell said.
“It could be a good option for him and then he could have a break up there, but it’s a matter of seeing what happens on Saturday and how it unfolds, whether he ends up going there and to the paddock or has another run down here.
“There’s nothing set in concrete, but I do like to have a look around to see what’s available if you’ve got a nice one, which makes life easier.”
Straand Deal has won four of his seven starts, the last two at Morphettville and most recently at Sandown over 2100m.
In his recent victory, Straand Deal won by seven lengths after being ridden conservatively by Mark Zahra.
Billy Egan takes the ride on Saturday.
“Mark has done a bit of work on him and has won some races, and it worked out last start that he is probably better ridden quiet than closer to them,” Kennewell said.
“He rounded the race off strongly and he was brilliant at Sandown.
“I thought he’d win, but you don’t see too many win by seven or eight lengths, especially mile-and-a-quarter or mile-and-a-half races.
“He’s progressive and it’s exciting.”
Kennewell conceded Saturday’s race, a benchmark 84 contest, had a bit of depth.
And like his own galloper, Kennewell likes what he sees in lightly raced Simurgh, a three-time winner from six starts.
Simurgh heads the betting at $3.60 with Straand Deal at $3.90 with online bookmakers.
“Simurgh will be pretty hard to beat in my opinion and looks a nice horse,” Kennewell said.
“They both have similar profiles, are progressive horses that are trying to get their ratings up to see if they can end up as a nice spring staying type of horse.”
