Sandown Racing Tips
Track: Out 3m entire circuit. Rail: Soft 6
Best Bet: Race 6 – 11 River Goddess (Each Way)
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Race 1: Maiden Plate 1600m
CIVIL GUARD (1) has placed at seven of his eleven career starts, he steps up in trip here after two good efforts resuming this time in. The first of which he ran on hard from the back then was trapped wide up on the speed and only got run down late after being heavily backed. Up to the mile, expect him to roll forward off the inside gate and either lead or be behind the leader.
Dangers:
FIRESTRIPE (3) may be forced to settle a little further back than he has at his first two starts but stepping up to the mile looks ideal after working home one-paced last time. HOLBURT (13) was well in the market on debut but had no luck, he was shuffled out to last at a vital stage and only got going late. He obviously has some ability. INVENTION (4) has placed at all three runs this preparation and is coming back in trip which looks to suit.
Race 2: 3YO Maiden Plate 1600m
RONAN’S ROCK (8) has had 5 weeks in between runs and although he was beaten 5 lengths on debut, there was a lot to like about his run. He messed up the start leaving him a lot further back than expected and he took a while to wind-up but ran through the line nicely. He may want further than the 1200m but should be running on hard.
Dangers:
SHAMWOW (15) is a filly having her first race start, she was a recent trial winner, but it is a tough ask to go straight here to Sandown on debut and win. ARISTIA (13) has placed at all but one of her four career starts, she wasn’t far away at Group Three level placing across the border before going for a break. Watch for any money for her resuming. SEQUITUR (14) has trialed fairly for the Hawkes stable, the betting should be closely monitored for her debut. This team has to be respected whenever they bring a debutant to the races.
Race 3: 3YO BM70 Handicap 1400m
FIGHTING HARADA (1) had no luck here when resuming, he lost a plate when held-up at a vital stage in running, then was racing in limited space late and although he may not have won, he should have mate it a lot closer. The small field suits here, he was dominant winning second-up last prep when leading all the way.
Dangers:
OSMIUM (3) was a nice winner on debut then went to Flemington at Listed level and made a long searching run and wasn’t beaten far. It’s a tough run when coming wide over 1400m there so his run was full of merit. He has trialed fairly publicly since, look for any money for him resuming. ANGEL (2) was a last start winner on the synthetic, that doesn’t always bode well coming back to the grass, but she should be running on hard. REWARD FOR SILENCE (6) was fair at his first go out of maiden grade and this looks no harder.
Race 4: BM64 Handicap 2100m
AYERS ROCK (1) is on the quick back-up after winning across the border at Morphetville on Saturday. He gets the good claim to offset the weight, that win in SA was a harder race than this and the track was in a similar condition to this. He ticks a lot of boxes.
Dangers:
HARVARD (2) is a last start winner in easier grade, he has since been sharpened up with a trial over the sticks which can be good for these average middle-distance horses. BY DESIGN (5) had been showing promise and finally got his first win out of maiden grade last start, he maps well and should get a cheap run mid-field. KAPUZINER (4) was in the wrong part of the track two starts ago but appeared to have every chance last time. Not sure where he will get to in the run and he looks a good lay if starting near the top of the betting.
Race 5: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1400m
MISS PANDANUS (5) was really good here last time, although that was her first defeat, she was tough in the straight after a wide run. She has won two times in as many attempts on the rain affected going so that won’t worry her, if she can get some cover look for her to be running on hard.
Dangers:
HERECOMESMYBABY (4) didn’t appear to handle the going when resuming last start but she was clearly in the wrong part of the track. She was good at her first prep so we can overlook that run. ELLE GAGNE (7) looks the leader off the inside draw, if that position looks an advantage in the earlier races she will be hard to run down. SHOKO (9) had trialed well on numerous occasions prior to her good win on debut, she did plenty wrong, so she looks to have above average ability. This is obviously harder.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1600m
RIVER GODDESS (11) looks a great each-way bet in a race where you wouldn’t be surprised if any of them won. She will more than likely get further back, but the tempo should be strong with the big field and she has been working to the line nicely this time in.
Dangers:
Most of them! ROYAL THUNDER (1) has won two on the bounce, this is harder, but he maps beautifully and should have plenty to offer late in the straight. EAGLE RIDGE (3) had absolutely no luck in a harder race than this last time, he basically went the whole straight without being tested. CAPTAIN HARRY (6) came through that same race and really worked home nicely. That race may just be the right form-line for this.
Race 7: BM70 Handicap 1200m
A tough race as the main chances on paper look to have drawn extremely poorly very wide. SATORI (3) has a stack of speed and may be able to overcome the shocking draw, he is still undefeated after three starts. ILLUMICON (8) also has speed and drawn out, he will find this easier than last start. DOUBLE JEOPARDY (17) comes through that race and did appear to have every chance, doubtful that he will get that run from out there. SWAFHAM BULBECK (13) has been consistent and draws better than most of his main rivals, but he is still yet to win out of maiden grade. Play very wide in the Quaddie as there may just be a huge blowout with all the speed drawn out wide.
Race 8: BM70 Handicap 1400m
BALLET MASTER (2) was good last start, he had to sit up outside the speed and was closing all the time. HE had his chance in his previous run but that was a lot harder than this. Expect him to go forward and be one of the pace makers.
Dangers:
HOLY COMMAND (4) would have been at the top of selections had he drawn a little better, he has won all three starts this prep and handles the wet well. It’s just a matter of where he gets to in the run, he certainly has the ability, will just need the ride. MAXEY CAMPO (10) has been up for a long time but is very consistent, when he jumps away with them he settles up near the lead. He should be able to do that today from the good draw. LORD TENNYSON (8) is also drawn wide, he doesn’t win out of turn but has shown that he can do work in the run.