Racing: Sparks Alight prepares to burn track up at Sandown

MELBOURNE - Bendigo trainer Shane Fliedner has high hopes for the autumn with lightly-raced filly Sparks Alight.

The 3-year-old has been freshened since her last run at Moonee Valley on New Year's Eve and is looking to take a positive step towards better races when she lines up in the Patinack Farm Handicap (1200m) at Sandown today.

"I think she is certainly up to some sort of black-type race for 3-year-old fillies in the autumn but it all depends on what she does tomorrow," Fliedner said yesterday.

A narrow winner on heavy ground at her Bendigo race debut on December 9, she finished third to Aporia over 1200m at Sandown 13 days later before being checked at the start and making up good ground for fourth to Cristallo at Moonee Valley.

"She got back on the fence at the Valley but still found the line all right," Fliedner said.

Connections were keen to give Sparks Alight her chance in the autumn, hence she has had two weeks in the paddock since her last run.

"It's probably not ideal having a couple of weeks off but I still expect her to run well tomorrow and we will see what happens after that," Fliedner said.

The race has attracted a capacity field of 14, plus four emergencies, and also features three runners who have won at their only start.

Bairnsdale debut winner Our Cougette from the Peter Moody stable is sure to have support, while Spring Bound, prepared by Team Hawkes, and the Gary Portelli-trained Zabillie both resume after successful debuts at Geelong in September.

Sparks Alight is the third foal from the group three Dermody Stakes placegetter Dual Spark, while her first foal Sparks Fly is a Morphettville Guineas winner and on her last chance to perform in today's Hayman Island Handicap (1500m).

Fliedner said Sparks Fly fitted the mould of a being a talented 3-year-old but was unable to carry that form on as a older horse.

"Sometimes 3-year-olds are very hard to get back and she has been struggling a little bit," he said.

- AAP