Ron Stubbs-trained Balendon set to appreciate rise in distance

Balendon will be having his first try over the distance in the $24,000 Class One Hcp, (1500m) with Mathew Cahill booked to ride.

The four-year-old gelding is on the quick back-up after finishing runner-up at Albury last weekend over 1175m.

Stubbs said he expected Balendon to prove the testing material in the race if he could run the trip.

"The question mark is whether he can run 1500m I guess," Stubbs said.

"But the way he hits the line gives me every indication that he will be able to.

"If he runs out a strong 1500m, I expect him to be fighting out the finish."

Balendon likes to get back in his races and settled three back on the fence last week before hooking out early in the home straight.

The son of Foxwedge showed a good turn of foot but was outstprinted by the Phil Sweeney-trained Then who won by half-a-length.

Stubbs said the run was full of merit.

"I was very happy with his effort," he said.

"He was held up momentarily for a run at the top of the straight.

"If he got out a fraction earlier I think he would have got closer but I'm not saying that he would have won the race.

"But he certainly would have been fighting out the finish.

"Hopefully he gets his fair share of luck on Saturday."

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Cahill replaces Jack Martin in the saddle with the veteran hoop in solid form.

He leads the SDRA jockey premiership in the absence of Blaike McDougall who has quickly established himself in the ultra-competitive Victorian metropolitan jockey ranks.

"Getting Mat on board can't be underestimated and he certainly makes up for shortcomings as a trainer," Stubbs said half-jokingly.

"The horse is always going to need a bit of luck in his races because he does settle back in the field.

"But over 1500m you would expect a slower tempo which I feel will work in his advantage.

"The horse never runs a bad race.

"So if he can reproduce something similar to last week, I expect him to be hard to beat."

Baledon is quoted as a $4-chance in pre-post markets.

Stubbs will also saddle-up My Brother Bob, Sandblast and Prince Carlos who will start at double figure odds.

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