This promising Robbie Griffiths gelding lines up for career start number three off the back of consecutive seconds.
Last start over 1400m on a Soft 7, he found the line well from midfield after running the quickest closing sectionals of the race.
Making that effort all the more impressive was the fact that he had excuses in the run, running into traffic on several occasions.
He comes here third-up ready to peak, and stepping up to the mile distance looks very suitable.
He will need a good ride from barrier nine, but Beau Mertens sticks aboard and should know this horse well by now having ridden him in both career starts.
His form behind Lunakorn and Whittington Stone is strong enough for this maiden and he's the clear on top pick.
Sandown Lakeside Race 4 Tip #3 Excused $4.80
Excused comes here second-up after a sound first-up effort in the Inglis Dash over 1100m at Caulfield.
On that occasion, she was forced to sit wide without cover in the early and middle stages but still managed to find the line very strongly.
Freshened from that effort, she comes here fitter and the slight rise in distance to 1200m poses no concerns.
This race is clearly weaker than her last start and in a push for her chances, Craig Williams sticks with the ride.
The rain affected surface is a positive considering she won nicely on a Heavy 9 in her first career hit-out, before finishing 3 lengths behind the talented Exhilirates and Akari on a Soft track.
From barrier 7, she maps to get a super run and has a class edge over most of these.
At the current price she looks a great bet and I expect her to start shorter come race time.
