Yaphet ready for Sandown races return

Trainer Cliff Brown and connections of Yaphet were looking forward to the spring with the stayer.

But those spring hopes were diminished after Yaphet wrenched a joint before stepping foot on a racetrack in the spring and plans were abandoned.

After a spell and a steady build up, Yaphet is ready for his racetrack return in the Tile Importer Handicap (1400m) at Sandown on Saturday.

Brown had optimism for the spring after Yaphet finished second in the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) at Morphettville last May.

The winner, Jungle Magnate, was later solid to Hong Kong where he now races as Beautyverse .

Brown said it would be good to see Yaphet back on track at Sandown on Saturday.

“He wrenched a joint in the spring,” Brown said.

“It came right but I lost about a week, so instead of trying to play catch up, I thought I’d stop.

“You end up chasing your tail otherwise, but he’s come up well and he had some good form last time in.

“It will be good to see him back.”

Brown has entered Yaphet for the All-Star Mile while he also holds nominations in some of the major autumn races in Sydney.

Yaphet will be joined at Sandown on Saturday by lightly raced filly La Danseusse Rouge who contests the Group 3 Kevin Hayes Stakes (1100m).

A winner of a benchmark 64 grade race last September at her third start, La Danseusse Rogue stepped straight to stakes company following that run, finishing third in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and then second in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes (1100m) at Flemington.

“She had a fantastic prep in the spring,” Brown said.

“She’s lightly raced and we just need some luck with her.

“She’s done really well over her break. She has always been a big filly, but she’s bigger again.”

A third runner for Brown on Saturday will be last start Sandown winner Fantasising who runs in the Premier Signs Handicap (2400m).

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