The Craig Eudey-trained six-year-old Var gelding Sabadell is an intriguing runner in tomorrow’s highest rated race, a MR 99 handicap over 1200m on the polytrack.

Craig Eudey (Nkosi Hlophe)

The race is intended to be his final preparation race with an aim of getting him into the Gr 3 Cup Trial.

He is better over further but did win three times from 1200-1400m as a young horse so does have some speed.

The most significant point is his four point drop down to a 99 merit rating, so he won’t have to give lumps of weight away like he did last time.

It is also the big horse’s third run after a long layoff of a year and he has been putting up “exceptional” work on the polytrack at Summerveld.

“He should get much closer this time,” said the yard.

Brandon Lerena rides from a plum draw of two.

The yard also expect a much better run from Academy Princess provided, unlike last time, she is ridden to instruction and dropped out. She will be an interesting runner, provided she can find cover early from a tricky draw of nine, as she has been dropped another 6 points down the merit ratings and over this, her probable best trip of 1400m, she is capable of producing a strong finish. Warren Kennedy rides.

By David Thiselton