Nothing ventured nothing gained is the attitude Brett Cavanough is taking with The Monstar in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Sandown.

The Albury trainer admits Saturday’s 1000m sprint is a gamble but it’s one he is willing to take with the four-year-old.

To aid the cause, he has enlisted Melbourne’s leading rider Dwayne Dunn to partner the gelding who has won six of his 12 starts and ran third in an open sprint at Flemington in June.

“He was placed in a $100,000 race and is a horse who can run good times,” Cavanough said.

“He won a barrier trial a couple of weeks ago and has had a couple of jump-outs so he is going there in good order.

“We want to see how good he is. Sandown is a big track. It should suit him and there won’t be any shortage of speed.

“It will be a test but I’ve got no reason to think he won’t run well.”

The Doveton field is headed by Group Three winner Lord Of The Sky who will carry topweight of 60 kilograms.

Trainer Robbie Laing took the five-time winner to Sandown on Tuesday to give him a work-out on a track where he has yet to race.

All his victories have been at Caulfield, the usual venue for the Doveton. With Caulfield closed for renovations, the meeting is at Sandown.

Adelaide sprinter Thiamandi was a late Doveton entry on Tuesday. She is also nominated for the City Of Marion Stakes at Morphettville.

The Lloyd Kennewell-trained mare won the Group Three Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield in July, leaving Lord Of The Sky in her wake.

Cavanough will have two runners in Melbourne this week with Number One Gun to compete in the 955m challenge at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au