Storm Season set for Sandown return after injury layoff

Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's stable has made the decision to commence Storm Season's campaign in Melbourne.

The mare was entered for the Petaluma Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on Saturday, however, the training partnership elected to instead run her in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1400m) at Sandown.

Storm Season, a sparingly raced four-year-old by Toronado, has not competed since early December when she was victorious over 1500m at Caulfield Heath. Prior to that, she achieved a win first-up at Kembla Grange.

Michael Kent Jnr indicated that the mare experienced a minor setback following her two-start summer preparation but has since demonstrated good form in her trials leading up to her return.

The co-trainer acknowledged that the anticipated heavy track conditions at Sandown are a concern for the mare, who recorded a placing on soft ground at Morphettville last May.

"She won both her starts last time in and then she pulled up with an injury after her Caulfield victory, so we gave her some time out," Kent Jnr stated.

"She's come up really well and typically goes well fresh. She's trialled well twice, she's drawn to get the right run, off the speed and off the fence."

"The big unknown is it will be her first go on heavy ground and the race club is predicting anywhere from four to 15 mils of rain on race day.

"So, come the last (race), hopefully we avoid it. If they do get 15 mils of rain, that track might be pretty dire on Saturday, which could dent the confidence quite a bit, but if we miss a lot of it, then I think she's a nice chance.

"Yes, she will improve for absolute race fitness, but she is a big mare that will enjoy that big track at Sandown."

Apprentice jockey Logan Bates will partner Storm Season for the first time, and his 1.5kg allowance will see her carry 57.5kg.

Consider the current racing betting markets for the Sandown meeting.