Curt Lee On Song For Launching Pad 

WHEN owner Dave Carroll and trainer Glenn Rounds purchased promising pup Curt Lee at the start of 2019, Sandown's lucrative Launching Pad Series was firmly planted in the back of the pair's mind as a possible destination.

"There was a lot to like about the dog early on," recalled Rounds in the lead up to Thursday night's opening round of the Launching Pad at Sandown Park.

"He was only 18 months when he started racing and he caught the eye, Dave and I made Robert Palmer an offer and the deal was done nice and quickly which was great – it's pretty hard to buy dogs these days, no one wants to sell."

With a cool $432,000 in cash set to be splurged across three dynamite weeks of racing, Rounds told the Recorder on Tuesday he couldn't be happier with his progressive youngster, the son of Fernando Bale ticking over just nicely leading into Thursday night's assignment.

"You don't want them peaking at the start of a three week series but I'm really pleased with where he's at," added Rounds of Curt Lee, last seen on March 3 at The Meadows, scooting over the 525m in a nippy 30.03, his sixth career win, the cut-off for Launching Pad eligibility.

WATCH: Curt Lee's last start 30.03 Meadows victory

"He's quite a professional young race dog, he's got a really nice temperament at home but at the track it's all business, he's showing some nice qualities.

“He'd had the four starts when we bought him and for him to be doing what he was at 18 months was encouraging, he's got a nice future I think."

Curt Lee lines up in Thursday night's sixth heat of the Launching Pad from box eight, setting up a tantalizing clash with Seona Thompson's hugely talented galloper Street Outlaw, the son of Dyna Double One, also a winner of six races, set to make his Sandown debut from box seven.

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"My dog has very good speed so the important thing is he comes out balanced and works his way across. It's not easy getting across at Sandown from out wide these days so he'll need to do everything right, the main thing is to see him progress to next week.

"All going well I might look to bring him up to Sydney for the Peter Mosman in June but for now it's just one week at a time."

Responsible for putting the polish on many top-line gallopers throughout his training career, the Devon Meadows conditioner is hopeful that the emerging Curt Lee can fill the void left by the retirement of his outstanding chaser Chasin' Crackers, the son of Fabregas also raced by Carroll during his sensational career.

"He's retired and is just here at the house as a pet now," added Rounds.

Winner at 17 of his 49 starts, Chasin' Crackers featured in countless group race finals, finishing in the placings at Group 1 level on no less than five occasions, including a courageous second to Aston Dee Bee in the 2017 Melbourne Cup Final.

Rounds won the Melbourne Cup with his late partner Judy Hayley back in 2001, courtesy of top-liner Classic Capri.