Live Coverage: $600k The Sandgroper
WITH the field and box draw set for Thursday night’s $600,000 The Sandgroper we assess why each runner can and can’t win the invitational showpiece.
WITH the field and box draw set for Thursday night's $600,000 The Sandgroper we assess why each runner can and can't win the invitational showpiece.
LISTEN LIVE: TABRADIO'S DEDICATED COVERAGE OF THE SANDGROPER
FIELDS AND FORM CANNINGTON THURSDAY NIGHT
1. BIG ENERGY (Mintbet)
Record: 32 starts, 15 wins 7 placings P/M: $464,410
Cannington best: 29.25 (trial) Trainer: Kel Greenough
Price: $2.10
CAN WIN: Was going to be in the thick of things regardless of where he drew but now he's landed the red is clearly the one to beat. And markets reflect same, firming all the way into $1.90. Trialled in superb fashion last week and well versed at the track. The dog to beat.
CAN'T WIN: With an abundance of speed and pressure coming across needs to make full use of the rails. Morton and Sunset Frazier will be applying the afterburners early.
2. MORTON (TABtouch)
Record: 24 starts, 14 wins 6 placings P/M: $414,365
Cannington best: 29.77 (trial) Trainer: Jessica Sharp
Price: $6.00
CAN WIN: Raced just the once since the Australian Cup when being gunned down late by Melbourne Cup winner Yachi Bale which was the hit-out he needed. Drawn to be in the mix and is a proven big race performer.
CAN'T WIN: Will have Sunset Frazier carving across so a bit like the red will need to negotiate things well early. Needs to lead the red because if he doesn't, he can't beat him. But he's not alone there.
3. SUNSET FRAZIER (Aaron Bain Racing-Summit Bloodstock)
Record: 15 starts, 8 wins 5 placings P/M: $86,311
Cannington best: 29.65 Trainer: David Hobby
Price: $15
CAN WIN: Boasts the record back section at Cannington and can go like the clappers early. Home track advantage and trainer won the race last year. Fourth place in the Perth Cup Final was full of merit.
CAN'T WIN: Beaten last couple at Mandurah in races you would have liked to see him win. Still a baby and facing the acid test of his brief career in a field littered with group 1 winners.
4. MEPUNGA SMOKEY (RAM Racing Syndicate)
Record: 36 starts, 14 wins 11 placings P/M: $144,590
Cannington best: 29.58 Trainer: Jeff Britton
Price: $13
CAN WIN: Booked his place with a third in the Perth Cup after winning his heat in 29.58. Hugely talented and is rarely far away and proven he can perform at Cannington. Has top form around all the main hopes.
CAN'T WIN: Had a horror run with box draws and that hasn't changed here. No doubting his talent and consistency but will need to produce a career best run to score.
5. FERNANDO PHIL (Sportsbet)
Record: 27 starts, 9 wins 10 placings P/M: $53,260
Cannington best: FSH Trainer: Michelle Mallia
Price: $14.00
CAN WIN: Horsham Cup hero when defeating Explicit which is second favourite here. Proven he can match it with the best on his night and can handle tricky draws. Has run 29.64 at The Meadows and 29.25 at Sandown – very much the x-factor.
CAN'T WIN: In a race boasting group race winners on two-turns this fella is yet to achieve that feat. Away from home for the first time in a bona-fide group 1 field poses a huge ask.
6. HECTOR FAWLEY (Ladbrokes)
Record: 54 starts, 20 wins 14 placings P/M: $412,530
Cannington best: 29.45 Trainer: Lisa Cockerell
Price: $17.00
CAN WIN: Doesn't know when he's beaten and is capable of winning any race he contests. The bad luck runner in The Phoenix and connections have given him every chance to succeed. Trialled fast and if he gets a crack at them will be rocketing home.
CAN'T WIN: The draw means if he is to win it will be a taller order than what it would have been somewhere near the fence. Going to need to rely on a bit going his way early doors in this company.
7. TROOPER TEARS (Total Container Solutions, Team Britton)
Record: 26 starts, 13 wins 5 placings P/M: $254,517
Cannington best: 29.39 Trainer: Robert Britton
Price: $6.50
CAN WIN: 2023 Launching Pad hero which is without doubt the big question mark of the race. His best is brilliant, his worst is so-so. Can handle a wide draw and proven he can run the time to get into the thick of things. Posted 5.40 early in his Perth Cup heat win.
CAN'T WIN: For all of his talent he can prove unreliable after beginning his career finishing first or second at his first 15 starts. High pressure assignment here with a raft of proven big race performers.
8. EXPLICIT (Punters HQ)
Record: 19 starts, 13 wins 3 placings P/M: $263,990
Cannington best: 29.75 (trial) Trainer: Jason Thompson
Price: $4.20
CAN WIN: Along with Mackenna is the most exciting rising star of the sport with it all ahead of him. Group 1 winner that has it at both ends and while the eight appears tricky, the genuine topliners find a way to overcome. Which he can.
CAN'T WIN: Trialled 29.75 which isn't lightning but he's not a trial dog he's a race dog, as his record suggests. But the eight draw is a concern at a track he's had limited exposure at.
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