Aberro fights hard in Sandown maiden win

Trainer Matt Laurie is looking deeper into the spring following the maiden win of Aberro at Sandown.

The Mornington-based horseman believes the three-year-old will relish a journey of 2000m and beyond.

While Aberro will be entered for November’s Victoria Derby at Flemington, Laurie said he may resist the temptation after the gelding’s win in the Chef’s Hat Maiden on Wednesday.

“I’m mindful that he’s a big horse and that track can be very hard at that time of year which would be my concern going to that distance, but it’s on the radar,” Laurie said.

Aberro had form around two of Victoria’s top two-year-olds last season in Merchant Navy and Eshtiraak before running sixth in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick last autumn.

Laurie said a spell had done wonders for the three-year-old who is a half brother to 2013 South Australian Derby winner Escado.

With a galloping action suited to a stayer, Laurie said Aberro’s main spring target is likely to be the 2000m Caulfield Classic in October.

Aberro is among nominations for the Caulfield Guineas a week earlier, but Laurie is worried the 1600m may be a bit sharp.

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“We’re looking at races at 2000 metres and beyond with him and hopefully he’s thereabouts in the spring,” Laurie said.

“He’s a half-brother to Escado who was a super horse for us and everything this horse does indicates he’ll do the same.

“There’s a 1500-metre race at Moonee Valley in three weeks or so and then we’ll jump up to 1800 metres and then look at the Caulfield Classic.”

Lindsay Park has similar staying aspirations for Justice Glory following her first-up win in the Spicer Thoroughbreds Handicap.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said the filly had developed during a break.

“She sat three-wide the trip with the big weight and hit the line strongly,” he said.

“We’re hoping she’ll develop into a really nice 2000-metre horse at stakes class.

“She’s got stronger and off her run today she’s definitely improved as well.”