The way Patch Adams charged to the line in the Carbine Club Stakes has trainer Terry O'Sullivan optimistic the colt can end his spring campaign with a win in the Sandown Guineas.

Patch Adams hit the line strongly in the Group Three Carbine Club (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday week but fell a neck short of reeling in the winner Mahuta.

Mahuta, winner of his past three starts, and Patch Adams are among five horses which contested the Carbine Club Stakes that are in the 20 nominations for Saturday's Group Two Sandown Guineas (1600m).

Jockey Steven Arnold will continue his association with Patch Adams in the Guineas and O'Sullivan is hoping the colt can settle closer this time.

"He had been tending to over-race so we put ear muffs on in the Carbine Club Stakes and he probably got back a bit further than we wanted to but Steven wasn't going to give him a squeeze in case he over-raced again," O'Sullivan said.

"Hopefully he won't get back that far in the Guineas on Saturday.

"I thought he hit the line particularly strongly, and there weren't many horses that made up a lot of ground on the day.

"His run was very good and we think he's done well since so we're thinking he'll run really well on Saturday."

Patch Adams has won one of his 10 starts with three placings.

His eight-start campaign has included a closing fourth in a Listed 1400m race at Flemington won by Bon Aurum while his other start in a black-type race outside of the Carbine Club Stakes was a fifth in the Group Two Stutt Stakes at Moonee Valley.

"He over-raced badly that night and was still only beaten just over two lengths," O'Sullivan said of the Stutt Stakes performance.

"I think the lights fired him up a bit more than normal and I decided after that to give him a week in the paddock to get over that run with the Carbine Club Stakes and Sandown Guineas in mind."