Nick Ryan has been looking for an excuse not to start Regardsmaree in a stakes race at Sandown but is yet to find one.
Regardsmaree is down to run in the Listed Anniversary Vase (1400m) on Saturday, a week after winning the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) at Caulfield.
Ryan says Regardsmaree ticks all the boxes for Saturday’s contest, including a wide draw, the 1400m journey and even the predicted rain.
“I’m really happy with him and it looks a good race for him,” Ryan said.
“It’s a good barrier for him as it keeps him out of trouble as he likes a bit of room.
“The expected rain won’t be a worry as he’s won on the heavy and placed on the slow and looking at his win last week, to me he’s looking for the 1400 metres.
“He’s shown me no signs this week as to why we shouldn’t run him.”
Ryan will also start two-year-old Port Albert in the IVE>Print Handicap (1000m).
Port Albert made his debut when third in the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on April 9 and Ryan is not concerned by the drop in distance.
And Ryan said a better barrier will be advantageous on Saturday.
“He’s a very nice colt with obvious ability,” Ryan said.
“He’s still a bit new and a bit of a bull, but he’s taken a lot of benefit from his run in the Redoute’s.
“He’s drawn to get a lovely run and I’m not worried back to 1000 metres as he was a bit keen at Caulfield.
“Hopefully he can run well on Saturday and then we can put him away for the spring.”
Ryan will also saddle Gold Spark in the Behind The Barriers ‘Boxing Challenge’ 14/5 (1000m) and Belle Saviour in The Tile Importer Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.