Sandown Racing Tips
Rack: Good 4. Rail: Out 12m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 3 – CRYPTIC JEWEL
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Race 1: Maiden Plate 1300m
MACLAIREY (2) has been off the scene for three weeks, he ran on hard from the back to be runner-up and admittedly was there to win but turned it up a little. He has had enough chances, now start number 12, but he has placed in 7 of those previous runs. That last start maiden has proved to be a good form guide, look for him late.
Dangers:
AMANIKAN (9) debuted on a heavy track, ran on hard from a mile back and that has proved a decent form reference. She was sent straight to the paddock so look for any money for her. SCOTCH O’CLOCK (7) was good on debut then was beaten as favourite at start number two. He settled a lot closer last time and should have more galloping room here. Look for any money for those on debut, particularly LACAZETTE (10) from the strong Hawkes stable.
Race 2: 3YO Maiden Plate 1500m
ORDELL (14) has been to the races 5 times for 3 placings, she was racing way out of her grade last start in a BM70 at Flemington when she was slowly away but made some ground late to finish mid-field. Prior to that she was good when narrowly beaten into 2nd with daylight third, in a race where there has been a subsequent winner since. She draws well and maps beautifully.
Dangers:
BIRDWING (11) comes through that same race at Flemington in harder grade and produced some nice late sectionals after being held-up at a vital stage. That looks the right form race for this and happy to settle on either of those two. MONTEFERRANTE (13) ran on hard last time at Caulfield to finish second and this looks no harder, COUNTESS DE GALVEZ (12) also comes through that same race and had no luck when held-up at a vital stage.
Race 3: Fillies and Mares BM64 Handicap 1500m
CRYPTIC JEWEL (6) could not have been more impressive winning her maiden at Caulfield last start, she was mid-field in the run before showing a great turn-of-foot to charge clear over the last 100m. She will find this harder but can take the next step.
Dangers:
OUR CHIQUILLA (4) has been up for a long time but is still racing consistently, she doesn’t win out of turn but if she can position up close to the speed with cover, she should find the line well back in this grade. CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL (1) drops a sack in class from her nice effort last time when runner-up, she did have all the favours that day and the race was run to suit. AMBITIOUS GEM (2) ran on hard on Boxing Day, all three runs this campaign have seen her run through the line hard.
Race 4: BM64 Handicap 2400m
NEGASI (1) had to do all the work here last time when facing the breeze, got the better of the leader early in the straight but may have hit the front too soon and was gunned down late. There has been a winner out of that race since, he will go forward and try to control the race from the breeze.
Dangers:
TRUE GENT (9) is yet to win out of maiden grade but his effort at the Valley in a race we can line up the form in, was super. He was wide throughout but didn’t shirk the task late, the run prior has also proved to be a good form reference. BLUE JAY WAY (5) was third-up when winning at Seymour last start, she was well ridden saving ground and hit the line well despite laying in. This is harder but she had obviously been showing something as she was well backed that day. HEGEMON (7) looks better suited here on top of the ground. He has tactical speed when needed and comes through a race that a few of these do.
Race 5: BM64 Handicap 1800m
SHAQ (6) had no luck in a similar race to this last time at Caulfield, he positioned up well but was held-up behind the leaders at a vital stage and only got clear late to narrowly go down. He is a winner at his only start at the track/distance, just needs the right cart into it.
Dangers:
DIAMOND BOW (7) tackled the girls in a much harder race last time, she was a little one paced but kept chasing and didn’t have much room at the back-end. She will keep coming in the straight. NOTHIN’ LEICA HIGH (4) will have plenty of admirers, he ran on hard in a better race at HQ last time and should be fully fit here third-up. ROYAL VOLLEY (2) is a last start winner in easier grade, he should roll forward at the start and be on the speed for a long way.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1000m
BEAVERBROOK (3) hasn’t been far away at both starts this campaign, he gets in well with the claim but will just need a little luck getting cover early. He is a winner here previously and should be a nice each-way bet at double figure odds.
Dangers:
Most of them in what looks a very open race on paper. VILLA SARCHI (5) is resuming, look for any money for him fresh as he does have a good first-up record, albeit from a small sample size. WILDWOOD JADE (6) is a last start winner, she was first-up off a long break that day running on hard from mid-field for a soft win. She may have more upside than most of these. DIVINE MR TYCOON (8) was resuming last start at Pakenham, he has been consistent and that fresh run showed he has come back well despite doing things wrong.
Race 7: 3YO BM64 Handicap 1300m
HAWKSHOT (2) will find this easier than what he faced at Flemington when resuming, he over-raced on that occasion up the straight but kept fighting after he was headed. He will roll forward, if he can settle better in the spot outside the leader, he will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
FABIAN’S SPIRIT (3) has only been to the races once for a very soft on speed victory at Geelong. A little question mark about the ease of the win as it was on a very heavy track, if he can do the same on top of the ground, he can step up to this no problem. ELIGERE (1) is also a winner on debut, he was beautifully ridden at the Valley in a race that has had two subsequent winners come out of it, so the form should hold up. NO MORE BIDS (8) is resuming, he wasn’t great at his first look out of maiden grade and was sent straight to the paddock. He resumes today after being gelded and with the blinkers for the first time, expect that he is a much improved horse this time around.
Race 8: BM64 Handicap 1300m
Where to look in the last. TIN HAT (11) has been gelded since we last saw him in work 5 months ago, he showed good speed at his first prep and has the gate to use that again here. Wait and see if there is good money for him late to see if the mail from the yard indicates he is ready to go.
Dangers:
It looks a very open race on paper, I suggest if you are playing Quaddies maybe take the top selection one out on the first ticket and play very wide on the second. CATARACTA (12) was only fair resuming last time in her first go out of maiden grade but can improve with that run under her belt. NINA RULES (10) had no luck against the girls after being held-up at a vital stage and ABERRO (7) has to be thrown in with a host of gear changes first-up. He is a winner previously fresh, that win was on the inner track here.