Trainer Jason Warren is counting on a massive swing in the weights in a truly run sprint as the edge Danger Close needs to beat Lord Of The Sky in the Christmas Cup at Sandown.

Danger Close defeated the Cup favourite Lord Of The Sky in a Flemington race in April and he meets the Robbie Laing-trained sprinter much better at the handicaps in the 1000-metre scamper.

While Lord Of The Sky has since gone on to claim a black-type victory, Danger Close is no pushover as he showed with his first-up run at Moonee Valley on November 14.

Boosting the form out of that return race is Kaiser Sun, a Moonee Valley winner last Saturday.

When Danger Close accounted for Lord Of The Sky, he gave Laing’s sprinter 3kg as a short head separated the pair.

Now he’s in receipt of 6kg from Lord Of The Sky and seems over the odds as an $11 chance.

Warren said Danger Close had trained on well since his first-up third at Moonee Valley and will enjoy the bigger Sandown circuit.

“I thought he went enormous first-up,” Warren said.

“His first-up form overall is only fair so to run like he did was pleasing and the form out of the race is good with Kaiser Sun winning last week and we didn’t have any clear running.”

Even though Danger Close is a run-on sprinter who shapes as though he will appreciate more ground, Warren believes the 1000-metre journey is his best trip.

“His record at the 1000 metres is excellent,” Warren said.

“In 1000-metre races you get that really good solid tempo. He settles well and reels off really good late sectionals.”

Warren also likes the chances of lightly raced Sang Choi Bao in the Dunlite Handicap (1000m).

Like his stablemate Bel Sprinter, Sang Choi Boa is a son of Bel Esprit and although back in distance from his maiden success at Mornington, Warren believes the switch to Sandown will be a plus.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au