Aiming to secure back-to-back race wins at Sandown this afternoon, trainer Shane Nichols is hopeful continued success for lightly-raced gelding Stitch Me Up will translate into black-type form through the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
Currently featured as outright $3.30 favourite and clear market mover for this afternoon’s The Cove Hotel Handicap (1400m) with Ladbrokes.com.au, Stitch Me Up stamped his claims as one to watch when charging home to win the Nine West Plate (1300m) at Sandown last time out on August 6th.
Understandably pleased with the three-year-old’s performance on that occasion, Nichols told AAP he believes Stitch Me Up’s best is yet to come, and revealed he may even consider targeting a Group 1 berth this time in.
“He’s a really promising horse,” Nichols said.
“We don’t know where the ceiling is for him and that’s the thrilling part from our point of view.
“A couple of the owners had a bet at 200/1 in the Caulfield Guineas so I think they’ve declared their hand on where they’d like to go.
“I’m going to wait until after Wednesday’s race and see how he comes through it before making any decisions.”
Winning a strong Cranbourne barrier trial prior to his competitive debut on March 24th, Stitch Me Up finishing a credible fourth amongst classy competition in the GBG Concrete/Construction Maiden (1200m) at Sale in his only race start prior to his most recent triumph.
Showing a dislike for loading into the barriers in each of his two starts so far, Stitch Me Up will undoubtedly face his biggest test to date in this afternoon’s The Cove Hotel Handicap, confirmed to line up alongside classy Mick Price-trained pair War Point and Samartested; the latter a half-sister to Group 1 champion mare Samaready.
Leading online bookie Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best odds on all races at Sandown today, including The Cove Hotel Handicap!
Having firmed noticeable since claiming a maiden race win last start, Stitch Me Up is now available at odds of $61 for success in the 2014 Caulfield Guineas at Ladbrokes.com.au.
