By Roy Ward and Roy Aspinall
SANDOWN Lakeside track is expected to be fine to host the Melbourne Racing Club’s $200,000 Grand National Hurdle (3900 metres) this Sunday.
Heavy rain left Sandown waterlogged early last week which forced the six flat races and three jumps races to be moved to Kilmore and Warrnambool respectively.
But the track will be closely worked over the week with the dryer weather expected to make the track better come race day.
The hurdle is the first of the two premier metropolitan jumps meetings in Australia at the Lakeside track with the second, the $250,000 Grand National Steeplechase (4500 metres), on July 29.
The Grand National Hurdle is expected to boast a superb field for Sunday’s race.
At the start of the jumping season, last year’s Grand National Hurdle winner Black And Bent was again the star but he broke down after winning the Galleywood Hurdle at Warrnambool in May.
His trainer, Robert Smerdon, will however still have a strong hand in the 131st running of the race with the final field to be determined early this week.
Smerdon has Kirribilli Gold and Brungle Cry, two somewhat inexperienced, but still leading contenders, with a recent 12-lengths win at the Lakeside track stamping Brungle Cry as one of the state’s most promising jumpers.
Darren Weir will have a strong say in the result with his hurdle star, Gotta Take Care.
A number of top steeplechasers completing their Grand National Steeple preparations in the $100,000 Crisp Steeple (3900 metres), which will also run this Sunday.
Course admission on Sunday is $10 for adults, $5 concession and children under 18 free when accompanied by an adult. Dining packages are also available and bookings can be made by calling 9257 7100.
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