Former Kiwi galloper Gundown will have conditions in his favour when he contests the Ladbrokes Switch Handicap (2100m) at Sandown on Saturday, with the track currently rated a Soft7.
The five-year-old son of High Chaparral finished ninth behind impressive winner Rupture last Saturday at Flemington, but trainer Michael Moroney said the gelding has had excuses at both starts this campaign.
“His two runs have been good,” Moroney said.
“He drew wide barriers and had to go back. He got caught three-wide taking the field up to them the other day and James Winks has hopped off him in both runs and said he thinks the horse is going terrific and it is just a matter of getting the right race, drawing better and things going his way. He gets that tomorrow.
“I’ve never stepped him up that quick before between races but he is the right sort of horse, he is pretty laid-back and a good eater and I can’t see any reason why he wouldn’t back up.
“Certainly track conditions and distance are in his favour.”
Bred by Raffles Dancers, Gundown carries the colours of prominent owner Lib Petagna after being purchased by bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for $70,000 out of Trelawney Stud's 2016 New Zealand Bloodstock draft.
Gundown has won four races and is placed at Group Two and Group Three level, having commenced his career with Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman in New Zealand.
He is rated a $20 chance in an open field that is headed by the Anthony Freedman-trained Starcaster ($4.60). -NZ Racing Desk