Sandown Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: True.
Best Bet: Race 5 – OUR REGAL WARRIOR
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Race 1: Super VOBIS 2YO Handicap 1300m
ALFA ORO (1) looks to be something special, he debuted on the Pakenham track in an easier maiden a fortnight ago, showed good speed to work to the front before kicking clear in the straight to win by six. It may not have been the strongest maiden ever but that was impressive, and he is drawn well to be up on the speed throughout.
Dangers:
LEATHERHEAD (2) is also a last start maiden winner but in different fashion, he was at Bendigo when settling in behind the leaders and running on hard. He will be giving the main selection a start and will need the tempo on. LEONARDO DA HICHI (3) was a good winner on debut at Echuca, he sat wide on the speed without cover and was too string in the run to the line. This looks a lot harder though. LIGHT PARADE (9) ran behind Leatherhead on debut and tried hard but was huge odds. This should be a good form race going forward.
Race 2: Super VOBIS 2YO Handicap 1000m
RAY’S DREAM (4) is already a winner at this track on debut, he is resuming today after 17 weeks off but he has the advantage of a stack of tactical speed. He will go forward and try to lead all the way, if he is fit enough he will give them something to catch.
Dangers:
It looks an open race on paper, YULONG WAIN (3) bolted in last time at Geelong on the synthetic, he also has good speed, but he looks like he still has plenty to learn. If he can get outside the leader and settle he will be hard to catch. KINKY BOOM (1) may need further, her debut win was enormous before failing in the Blue Diamond. She had support in that Group One before going to the paddock, she will improve on whatever she does here over further. HIGH RATIO (2) is resuming, a winner on debut then was well favoured when down the track in a Blue Diamond Prelude. Watch the betting with him.
Race 3: BM64 Handicap 2400m
FLAAJ (5) was brave in defeat here last time he raced, he was three-deep for the majority of the race without cover and was still there late going down by just over a length. He gets the clever three-kilo claim today and will settle handy.
Dangers:
Another open race as these low level staying affairs usually are. LATIN BEAT (7) is an interesting runner, a Lloyd Williams import that is lining up for career start three, but he hasn’t been to the races in almost two years. It would be a great training effort to salute first-up today. ROCKARRAL (9) will go forward at the start, he wasn’t far away here in a much harder race last time. MIDAS MAN (1) handles all conditions and although he has been up a while, he looks much better suited back in this grade with the claim.
Race 4: 3YO BM64 Handicap 1300m
HOLY COMMAND (2) is resuming, he showed that he can do it at both ends with two wins prior going to the paddock, the first of which he ran on hard from the back, then led and ran them along at the second of those wins. He gets the 2kg claim and if he is near ready he should be too good for these.
Dangers:
McGARRETT (10) has placed at his last couple, although he was beaten 5 lengths last start he had excuses and was really good through the line. FAST FEVER (9) is undefeated after an impressive Murtoa maiden win on debut, he showed a stack of speed to lead throughout that day but has the job ahead of him from the wide draw. SIGNATURE STREET (14) comes through the same form line as a few of these, had no luck last time but draws poorly and will need a cracking ride from out there.
Race 5: 3YO BM64 Handicap 1000m
OUR REGAL WARRIOR (9) was heavily backed when resuming at Geelong on the synthetic, he jumped and ran and put a gap in them up the straight, eventually winning by 7 lengths. He has the good gate again and although this is harder, he should be leading all the way.
Dangers:
He looks the best of the day. Throw in FURNISH (6) who maps well, ILLUMICON (8) drawn poorly and the consistent THE MAYOR (3), but they look to be running for minor cheques only.
Race 6: BM64 Handicap 1700m
RESET I’M WILD (2) looked quite plain resuming, he will be a big improver getting out to this trip and has a good record (2:1-1-0) when racing second-up. He will also appreciate getting back on top of the ground after racing on the soft track last time, he looks a great each-way bet at the double figure odds.
Dangers:
See how the track is playing over the first half of the card, AROHA TE MANA (4) looks the leader and has been racing in much harder races than this. If it is no disadvantage making the running on this track today, he will be hard to catch. BEHAVE (10) Was up on the speed and got to the best part of the track last time with a win against easier company. She has to take on the older horses here and she looks a good lay/risk if she starts near the top of the betting. ROOM TO RHYME (11) has been stuck off the track at her last couple but hasn’t been beaten far, she gets no favours with the draw again today and will once again have to sit wide.
Race 7: BM84 Handicap 1700m
Darren Weir looks to hold the key here with two runners that may be one-two in the betting. ANOTHER COLDIE (2) gets the good claim, he has been super placing in his last couple in what look harder races on paper than this. He has some tactical speed and at this distance range shouldn’t be far off the leaders early.
Dangers:
The Weir stablemate THE STATESMAN (6) is the interesting runner of the race, he is a UK import that has had two starts in Australia, the first at Flemington where he worked home well over a shorter trip, he then went to SA and looked to have every chance when runner-up. No doubt he will keep improving. KACHING (5) comes through the Winter Champs Final at Flemington 3 weeks ago, that race usually becomes a fairly good form reference in the coming weeks, He was very one paced in that, so he will need the right cart into it. MORTAR PLATOON (4) was last seen in the Swan Hill Cup when narrowly beaten on the heavy track, that has proven a good form line and he should be running on hard after the 6-week freshen up.
Race 8: BM78 Handicap 1400m
WAYANKA (5) looks to be working into some form, he had a long run of outs at the start of this prep, but he has been encouraging at his last couple. On both occasions he has had wide runs, this looks no harder and with some cover he can run a race. Likely to get out to double figure odds so be patient if you back him.
Dangers:
MR INDIVIDUAL (3) has been a little one-paced at his last couple but will keep working to the line. He maps well off the good draw and can handle all conditions. It has been a long while between drinks for JENNIFER LYNN (7), she was good when resuming off a long break last time from the back and looks to have come back well. She will get back but look for her late. REDEFINE (1) has only had the one start since coming across the Tasman, he had put three wins in a row together previous to that and will appreciate if there is any sting out of the ground. Play wide in the Quaddie in this leg.
Race 9: BM64 Handicap 1700m
RIVER GODDESS (9) has been great at her last couple, runner-up by a length or less on both occasions when running on hard from the back. She will once again get back, with the in-form Damian Lane on board look for her to be finishing all over the top. If getting back and running on has been the pattern of the day with the rail back in the true position, she looks one of the better bets on the card.
Dangers:
CITRUS WISH (10) doesn’t win out of turn, she has been racing consistently this time in and should be very handy to the speed. ACCREDITATION (3) has been racing well and handles all conditions, he had no luck when going to Adelaide last start and ran through the line well. He will be giving them a start but be looking for him late. ROBBIE’S STAR (1) is a last start heavy track winner when running on, he once again will get back from the wide draw but if the rain comes he looks aa place chance.