Trainer Phillip Stokes is hoping that with stablemate Regal Azmon out of the picture, Arran Bay can finally break through for a win this campaign in Saturday’s Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap at Sandown.
Both horses were nominated for the benchmark 100 event over 1800m, but Stokes has opted to send Regal Azmon to Queensland for next week’s Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm.
Arran Bay has finished second to his in-form stablemate twice in recent starts, including a narrow short-half-head defeat at Pakenham while conceding 8.5kg, followed by another placing in the Bart Cummings (1600m) despite a favourable weight swing.
“Regal Azmon has got it all over him at the moment, but Regal Azmon won’t be there, so hopefully he gets his chance,” Stokes said.
Back home at Pakenham, Arran Bay has galloped strongly in preparation for his return to Sandown, where Paul Gatt has been booked to ride.
“He’s knocking on the door. The 1800 metres won’t be an issue, and his work since coming home has been excellent,” Stokes said.
The gelding has had four runs this preparation, including a solid third in the Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo. Stokes believes he’s ready to peak now that he finds a race without Regal Azmon.
“I’d like to get another win with him. He’s a hard horse to place with his rating, so we’ll take it run by run,” Stokes added.
Track conditions could also play into Arran Bay’s favour, with some rain forecast for Sandown.
“I think a bit of cut out of the ground will help him,” Stokes said. “He’s going well, just hasn’t won yet this prep.”
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