Matthew Seyers travels to Victoria with Group 3 winner Colmar in Sandown Guineas

A feature tilt interstate can come with pressure, but the Sandown Guineas is more a case of “why not?” for SA trainer Matthew Seyers.

A feature tilt interstate can come with pressure, but Saturday’s Sandown Guineas is more a case of “why not?” for Murray Bridge trainer Matthew Seyers.

Seyers saddles up $31 hope Colmar in the Group 2 mile feature at Caulfield, temporarily stepping in for regular handlers Ron Daniel and Trish Stanbury.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

As the gelding’s trainers enjoy a summer sojourn, Seyers is chasing a wet track with the Group 3 winner, as racetracks firm up around the country over the warmer months.

With Caulfield’s track currently rated a Soft 5, and more rain expected to come, a crack at the $300,000 race became too good to pass up.

“Ronny is going on holidays, for probably 6-8 weeks, he asked me to take over while he’s on holidays,” Seyers said.

“He’s a horse that has his best form on soft tracks, we’re not going to be getting them at the minute – we’re having a throw at the stumps over there.

“It’s a solid field, but there’s supposed to be a fair bit of rain happening Saturday, we thought we’d give him the opportunity while he’s fit.”

Colmar absolutely destroys them in the G3 Sires' Produce Stakes 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0LXsESM5iY

— Racing.com (@Racing) July 20, 2024

• Racing Victoria weighs into jockeys, trainers pay dispute

Colmar, who has won three races from 11 starts under Daniel and Stanbury, disappointed in his latest run at Morphettville, finishing last (of five) behind Dancing Storm, with a good track not offering him any favours.

Champion jockey Craig Williams will pilot the gelding from barrier four on Saturday, and the son of Strasbourg is set for a stint in the paddock afterwards.

“(Last start) was very plain, and he probably felt the track a bit,” Seyers said.

“If it was going to be firm over here (Victoria) tomorrow, he’d probably be in the paddock already, he feels his joints a little bit, Ronny was of the opinion that we’ll try him over here and then go to the paddock with him.

“He’s well, he feels well, he hasn’t been over the mile yet, which is another box he’s got to tick, he’s fit, well and eating well – so I can’t complain that way with him.”

Colmar winning the Group 3 Sires' Produce Stakes at Morphettville in July. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

• Dee sustains suspected shoulder injury in jumpout fall

While Seyers heads to Caulfield with Colmar, he’ll also have an eye on Morphettville on Saturday, with six-year-old gelding The Magistrate resuming in a Benchmark 76 over 1000m.

The four-time race winner was also accepted at The Valley on Friday night.

“We thought we’d accept him at both, hoping we’d draw well at one, but we drew 13 of 15 and 11 of 11 at Morphettville – so things weren’t great,” he said.

“We thought we’d keep him home instead of travelling him over first up.

“I couldn’t be any happier with how he’s come back in, he had a few feet issues last time, we gave him a good three months out to let him get over anything, he’s probably a different horse this time in.”

The Magistrate will be piloted by in-form apprentice Rochelle Milnes, and is a $14 chance with Sportsbet fixed odds.

Originally published as Matthew Seyers travels to Victoria with Group 3 winner Colmar in Sandown Guineas