BOUWMEESTER BACK AT SANDOWN

The talented Bouwmeester returns to action at Sandown Hillside on Wednesday a different horse.

The three-year-old is one of 13 runners in the first race, the Chandler Macleod Plate over 1000m on a track rated soft(5).

It is the second start for the now gelded son of Ocean Park and Mike Moroney and the Ballymore team have been working hard on getting Bouwmeester to relax.

“We used the barrier blanket on him for his jumpout and it seemed to help him relax better,” Moroney said.

“If he jumps cleanly he’s got any amount of speed and I’d be confident he can cross and lead, the real question will be if he can keep going for the whole trip.

“Coming back up the hill in the closing stages will be the real test for him.

Bouwmeester (pictured) has not raced since disappointing on debut over 1100m at Wangaratta in March. The grandson of Happyanunoit, a Group I winner in New Zealand and the United States, was given the ultimate gear change and comes into the race off a strong jumpout win over 800m at Flemington.

“I believe we have him as fit as we can get him for this and the main thing is for him to relax,” Moroney said.

“I’m sure he will learn as he races more so the real aim today is for him to jump cleanly and then if he does lead, for him to relax and conserve enough energy to finish the race off up the hill.

“If he can do that then we think he has a winning chance.”

Bouwmeester will be ridden by Patrick Moloney, the race scheduled to start at 12.30pm (aest).