Planet Red did not get under the guard of punters for a second time when keeping his race record intact with victory at Sandown.
A debut winner at Pakenham in May when a market drifter from $5 to $12, Planet Red returned from a short break at Sandown on Wednesday to claim the MRC Membership Feel The Thrill Handicap (1200m).
This time however there was no luxury odds on offer with Planet Red, under Mark Zahra, sent out the $1.85 favourite before scoring by a long neck from Vega For Luck ($9.50) with Bingi ($7.50) a further length away third.
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable has high hopes for Planet Red and believe the gelding could be bound for Stakes company.
“He will follow a natural progression and we’ll keep stepping him up in grade,” Kent Jnr said.
“No doubt Stakes class beckons for him now.
“The second horse ran second in the Karaka Millions and is no slouch and there is a lot of Black Type about him as well, but we’ve got a Black Type horse, it’s just a matter of what level he fits into.”
Wednesday’s race was over 1200m and both Kent Jnr and Zahra each believe Planet Red will handle a rise in trip.
“I really think he would enjoy taking a slight sit and finishing off as we saw when winning on debut at Pakenham,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s very versatile. It’s a great asset to have in Australia, to have tactical speed.
“I think he could get a mile. His sire was a champion miler. He looks like a miler and we’re going to find out.”
Zahra said he was constantly niggling at Planet Red to get him to pick up the bit after being urged forward at the start.
“Being Lakeside, I sent him forward, and he just wanted to relax,” Zahra said.
“It wasn’t the day for that, so I had to keep asking him every furlong, but he kept picking up and he’s done a good job as he was a little outside his comfort zone.
“I’m surprised the second horse got as close as he did as I quickened up really well, but he was strong at the end.”
