Trainer Steve Collins is not totally convinced Liara Allen will develop into a top middle distance dog, but he still considers her his best chance of his four runners engaged at Sandown on Thursday night.
Liara Allen will line up from box three in race seven over the 595m trip.
The daughter of Surf Lorian, a 29.69 Sandown winner over the 515m four starts back, won over the 600m at The Meadows on January 4 before finishing unplaced behind Lethal Three over the same trip last Saturday night.
"She's still feeling her way in the middle distance races," Collins said.
"She is not as strong at the finish at this stage as I expected her to be.
"Sometimes dogs that finish off strongly over the 500m struggle a bit once they go up to the middle distance but it is new to her so hopefully she will improve."
Liara Allen is drawn nicely in box three and has definite each-way claims in an open race.
Hello Good Bye (box two) is yet to win in two starts over this trip but did finish third behind Lukey Deez a week ago and if he can find the lead will be hard to run down.
Cornelius Fudge has an awkward box four draw to contend with but is racing well, while Cheetah Zorro (box five) is back in distance after finishing third behind kennelmate Lucy Wires over the 725m at The Meadows but showed her class by taking out the Group 1 Bold Trease in November so must be kept safe.
Jemima Allen (box four) produced a powerful finish to win at The Meadows last start and is unbeaten in two starts over the 715m distance here, so is worth plenty of thought in race five.
Czar (box two) was impressive winning a heat of the Sale Cup on December 18 before finishing unplaced in the final won by Dyna Nalin, and looks primed for this race after two 600m assignments at The Meadows.
Madison Dee (box three) races well here and is a threat, while Infinite Wish (box eight) could be placed.
Allen Deed lacks early pace but is very strong and looks ideally suited from box one in race eight.
Empire Allen (pictured, blue rug) is not ideally drawn in box five but was far from disgraced when fourth behind Boyce Road in a heat of last weekend's Group 1 Sportingbet Paws Of Thunder at Wentworth Park and will appreciate this assignment.
Best Bet: Take Charge (Race 11)
Best Value: Liara Allen (Race 7)
Quaddie: Race 5 - 4, 2, 3
Race 6 - 8, 4, 5, 1
Race 7 - 2, 3, 4
Race 8 - 1, 5
$20 for 27.77%
