Banderas breaks maiden at Sandown

Banderas has his future assured when his racing days are over, but his trainer Jim Conlan is hopeful of a long-term career on the racetrack.

The four-year-old son of Toronado broke his maiden status in the Ladbroke It Plate (1400m) at Sandown on Wednesday and Conlan is planning an assault at The Valley in three weeks’ time.

Banderas is a flashy looker, with four long white socks, and it is through his looks that Conlan has already fielded offers for the gelding at the conclusion of his career.

“I’ve already organised for him to be a show horse when he is finished racing,” Conlan said.

“They’ve been queuing up to get a hold of him and he’s such a lovely horse also.”

Ridden by Damien Oliver, Banderas ($6) registered a long-neck win from Invincible Crown ($11) with the $4.20 favourite Copperfield a further long-neck away third.

Conlan said he was surprised to see Bandaras lead throughout to win on Wednesday.

“It is a bit of a surprise the tactics that were adopted, but that is why you put blokes like Ollie on,” Conlan said.

“I did say to go back to last, balance up, and see how you go, but anyway, he’s a better jockey than I am.

“There is a mile (1600m) Benchmark 64 at The Valley in three weeks’ time, so I think that is where we’ll head but I would love to see him a couple of pairs back and getting a bit of cover.

“I think he will run 10 furlongs in time.”

For Oliver it continued a successful run aboard to the family of Banderas.

The jockey revealed he won races in Banderas’ dam Dandify along with the granddam Mannerism who he partnered to win a Caulfield Cup on.

“They certainly got over 2000 metres,” Oliver said.

“He feels like a miler to me at this stage, but I wouldn’t say no later on.”

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