Sandown Preview: Tough Stayers Wanted

The VRC St Leger has always been a great staying test but this year’s edition to be run over 3000 metres at Sandown Hillside will be the most grueling yet.

The race was rescheduled due to Flemington’s meeting last Tuesday being cancelled due to the passing of Dean Holland. The race is usually held over 2800 metres but as Sandown can’t hold races from that starting point they had to change the distance.

Trainers were given the option by Racing Victoria of having the race over 2400 metres or 3000 metres and the majority voted for the later trip.

One trainer who said he voted with both hands in the air for the race to be 3000 metres was Stawell trainer Andrew Bobbin who trains outsider Pulverisier.

“It’s the further the better for him,” Bobbin told Racing.Com.

“He did a good job at Swan Hill over 2400 metres to win his maiden. He just wants more ground. I think he’s over the odds at $31.”

TopSport has Pulverisier as a $31 chance. The interesting runner in the race is Danny O’Brien’s Roaring Engine who is a $5 chance.

He is a brother to VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound and a half brother to good stayer De Little Engine. His dam Arapaho Miss also won a VRC Oaks.

He has been finishing on in his races and O’Brien has placed blinkers on him for the first time.

• BEST BET: SNAPPED (Race 7, No.10): $3.50 TOPSPORT