SMART sprinter Sumakaray will make her highly anticipated return to racing at Sandown today.
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The Brian Cox-trained mare has been off the scene since April after failing to fire in two starts over the autumn.
Sumakaray was ruled out of a Melbourne spring campaign after tests revealed she had a virus.
Cox has since taken a cautious approach with his stable star, who proved ultra competitive over the carnival last year — including a second placing in the $120,500 Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100 metres) on Caulfield Cup day.
Sumakaray was a recent trial winner at Albury and boasts a lethal fresh record of three wins from four previous attempts.
“I was very happy with her trial and she worked well again on Saturday morning,” Cox said.
“She won the trial by about three lengths and I couldn’t have asked for much more.
“She looks to be back on track but we won’t know for sure until she races today.
“Her fresh record is outstanding and the only time she hasn’t won first-up was last preparation when she wasn’t right.
“So fingers crossed she is somewhere back near her best.”
Sumakaray has never previously raced at Sandown, with Stephen Baster booked to ride.
The winner of almost $200,000 in prizemoney is quoted as a $14 chance in pre-post markets, with Lord Of The Sky the early favourite at $3.80.
Bringenbrong will also head to Sandown for the $60,000 Benchmark 78 Handicap (1600m), with Steve Arnold in the saddle.
The seven-year-old gelding was a last-start winner at Tatura after being out of the winners stall since Wodonga Cup day last year.
In an open race, Bringenbrong is quoted a $10 chance.