Jockey James McDonald believes that talented maiden Careless can record his first race win in the 2014 Sandown Guineas this afternoon.
James McDonald hopes to steer Careless to a maiden race win in the 2014 Sandown Guineas this afternoon. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Careless has recorded five placings from his ten career starts and accumulated almost $100,000 in prizemoney for connections, but he has been unable to score win despite being competitive at the highest level of racing.
McDonald has partnered Careless in his past two starts, when third in the Listed Crown Lager Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 18 and fifth in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 1 and he believes that the Exceed And Excel colt has the talent to defeat the strong field in the 2014 Sandown Guineas.
“I really like this horse,” McDonald told Racing Ahead.
“Obviously he is still a maiden, but he probably shouldn’t be.
“He has great form up in the Brisbane winter behind Brazen Beau, so he looks a really good chance in this race.
“I think that it is a really good race though and there are a couple of in-form runners and an unbeaten gelding, but I am looking forward to it and I think he is a good chance because he has a good barrier.”
McDonald settled Careless just behind the leaders when he finished third in the Crown Lager Stakes, but he was forced to go back on the three-year-old in the early stages of the Carbine Club Stakes after he jumped awkwardly from this wide barrier.
Careless was forced to give the leaders too much ground in the Carbine Club Stakes and McDonald confirmed that he plans to see the John O’Shea-trained galloper closer to the speed in the early stages of the Sandown Guineas.
“He will be closer for sure,” McDonald said.
“He box-seated there at Caulfield the start before and he can posy up.”
McDonald has a strong book of rides at Sandown this weekend and he will partner exciting debutant Mesa in the Listed Santa’s Magical Kingdom Stakes (1000m), Pornichet in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m), Wine Tales in the Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Stakes (1400m), Epingle in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m), The Inventor in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m), Generalife in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1300m) and Judicial Rock in the Group 3 Summoned Stakes (1500m).
Careless is currently available at 2014 Sandown Guineas odds of $10 and has been one of the best-backed runners heading into the Group 2 event.
