Geeorb comes into the Macdonald Steeple off a strong front running victory in the St Steven Steeplechase at Moonee Valley last month and his rider Steve Pateman believes the gelding will be even better suited by the more roomy Sandown circuit.The Macdonald (3900m) is usually run at the Valley but Saturday's MVRC meeting has been transferred to Sandown while remedial work is undertaken on the Strathayr surface to ready it for the Hiskens Steeplechase meeting on July 25."I'm really looking forward

Geeorb comes into the Macdonald Steeple off a strong front running victory in the St Steven Steeplechase at Moonee Valley last month and his rider Steve Pateman believes the gelding will be even better suited by the more roomy Sandown circuit.

The Macdonald (3900m) is usually run at the Valley but Saturday's MVRC meeting has been transferred to Sandown while remedial work is undertaken on the Strathayr surface to ready it for the Hiskens Steeplechase meeting on July 25.

"I'm really looking forward to riding him at Sandown on the bigger track. I think it will suit him a lot better than Moonee Valley," Pateman said.

"(Trainer) Ciaron (Maher) is really happy with him and I'm looking forward to it."

The freegoing full brother to 2004 Grand National Hurdle winner Team Heritage won last year's Crisp Steeple (4000m) by nine lengths at Flemington before failing in the Grand National Steeple (4359m) and in the Hiskens.

But Maher says he's a better horse this year and has gone on since shouldering 68.5kg to a 2-1/2 length victory over Stop The Traffic with Macdonald rival Frenzilian third in the St Steven Steeple (3200m) on June 20.

Under the set weights plus penalties conditions of the Macdonald, Geeorb drops half a kilo and is the $3.30 favorite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Australian Steeple runner-up Brookton Mist at $4, Zagata at $4.80, Frenzilian at $5.50 with New Zealander Spirit Of Alaton next best at $6.50.

Pateman said the heavy (8) track reading also boosted Geeorb's prospects and he was not expecting anything to worry him in the lead.

"He is a bit vulnerable if he gets taken on. I took a sit on him in the Hiskens last year behind Some Are Bent and he did settle okay, but that was at the end of his preparation and he'd had enough," he said.

"I don't think any other horse in this race has got the pace to match him. If he gets taken on, whoever does it is going to be brought undone anyway.

"It's not the end of the world if he does have to take a sit though."

Brett Scott is confident his mount Zagata can make it three wins from his last four starts over the fences as he believes Spirit Of Alaton will serve it up to Geeorb in the lead.

Spirit Of Alaton led when a 1-1/2 length runner-up to Zagata in the Redditch Steeple (3400m) at Sandown in July 1.

"Tempo is going to be the key to Zagata and there is going to be pretty good speed on tomorrow," Scott said.

"Spirit Of Alaton and Geeorb are both front runners and they are pretty one-dimensional so that should work in our favour."

Three starts back Zagata won the Great Southern Steeple (3300m) at Mornington on a heavy track.

"He's getting better with each run, he's learning how to race," Scott said.

"He had a bit of a problem with hanging and over-racing, especially at Oakbank when he first came over from New Zealand, but he has gone ahead in leaps and bounds.

"He's very fit and he's very well and he'll run well tomorrow and go on to the Hiskens. We're very happy with him."