Trainer Robert Smerdon is optimistic about the chances of last-start Ballarat winner Little Tycoon successfully graduating to city class at Sandown.Smerdon has held off running the Nick Moraitis-owned three-year-old in Melbourne until now, preferring to see her win a provincial maiden before making the leap.Glen Boss will ride the daughter of Fantastic Light in Wednesday's Belle Silhouette Hcp (1400m)."We always thought she was up to city standard but she just couldn't win her maiden," Smerdon s
Trainer Robert Smerdon is optimistic about the chances of last-start Ballarat winner Little Tycoon successfully graduating to city class at Sandown.
Smerdon has held off running the Nick Moraitis-owned three-year-old in Melbourne until now, preferring to see her win a provincial maiden before making the leap.
Glen Boss will ride the daughter of Fantastic Light in Wednesday's Belle Silhouette Hcp (1400m).
"We always thought she was up to city standard but she just couldn't win her maiden," Smerdon said.
Little Tycoon finally saluted with a half-length win over 1400 metres on a heavy (8) track at Ballarat on June 24.
The victory was overdue after she had been placed at her four previous runs this campaign, including a second two starts back when she died on her run and was beaten a long neck by The Big Steel over 1600 metres at Ballarat.
Smerdon said he was hopeful that Little Tycoon may even find it a bit easier taking on her own age and sex in the city after competing against colts and older mares in recent runs.
"Sometimes a three-year-old filly is better suited against her own age and gender," Smerdon said.
"She is ready for town now and is fit and handles the wet.
"She ticks a few boxes and we are going there optimistic she can win again."
Jumps racing returns to Sandown with the Redditch Steeplechase and the Mosstrooper Hurdle opening Wednesday's program.
The Michael Trinder-trained Nuvolari is topweight with 68kg in the Redditch and, on the comeback trail, is making his jumps debut for the season after being fourth in the 2008 Hiskens Steeplechase at Moonee Valley.
Brad McLean will ride Nuvolari while Steven Pateman will ride the form runner Our Santa who last start finished fourth to Tarawera in the Australian Steeplechase at Sandown on June 19.
Pateman's Mosstrooper mount is Juan Carlos who will be having his first start over jumps since finishing second to Desert Master in the Grand National Hurdle at Sandown last August.