Weir Could Bring Up Milestone At Sandown

Darren Weir is poised to crack the tonne at Sandown tomorrow.
Darren Weir is poised to crack the tonne at Sandown tomorrow.

Darren Weir is poised to bring up a century of Melbourne winners for the season as the trainer surges towards a record metropolitan tally in Victoria.

A winning double at Moonee Valley on Monday took Weir to 99 metropolitan winners so far and he could bring up the century at Sandown on Wednesday.

Weir reached a century of Melbourne winners for the first time last season when he finished on 106, notching his 100th win on July 9.

Only three other trainers have reached 100 Victorian metropolitan winners in a season with Lee Freedman holding the record of 115 set in 2005/06.

David Hayes and Peter Moody are the other two.

Weir has five runners entered across four races on Wednesday’s program, beginning with three-year-old gelding Thunder Cloud who is the $3.20 favourite in the opening race.

Thunder Cloud will be out to break through in the Argyle Maintenance Plate having been placed in four of his five starts including runner-up finishes at his past three.

Stayer Renew runs over 3000m in the fifth race while lightly raced three-year-old filly Hectopascal will chase her second win from three starts when she makes her city debut in the Elaren Security Services Handicap.

The premier Victorian trainer also has Himeji Jo and Comic Miss in the Annie and Sid Handicap to round out the program.

Weir trained an Australian record 348 winners last season and sits on 284 so far in 2016/17.

He brought up his seventh Group One win for the season at Flemington on Saturday when Humidor chased down Jameka to take out the Australian Cup.

Afterwards he praised his staff, saying it was a big team effort.

“It has been a great season, and a big thanks to all the crew at home,” Weir said.

“They work hard and I’m here in front of the camera but you obviously can’t be here without all the help of all the crew.”

By Mathew Toogood

MELBOURNE, March 14 AAP

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