Sandown Racing Tips
Track: Good 4. Rail: Out 14m entire circuit.
Best Bet: Race 4 – HANG MAN
=====
Race 1: 2YO Fillies Handicap 1000m
Hard way to start the day with so many unknowns. HUMMA HUMMA (1) debuted in Listed company across the border, showed some speed before hitting the front late and being run down. She is resuming here so any money for her would increase the confidence levels.
Dangers:
As always, when the money comes for one of the first starter’s that should be respected. APPIAN WAY (2) for the Weir camp, OYASHIO DRIFT (6) for Ciaron Maher and THINE IS THE POWER (7) from the powerful Hayes/Hayes/Dabernig yard all fit into that category. Tread warily here.
Race 2: 2YO C&G Handicap 1000m
Like the girls edition of the race previously, the boys looks no easier with only a third of the field having faced the starter previously. BEN HERCULES (1) looks the best of them, he was a dominant winner on the heavy track last time and gets back on top of the surface here. He looks a little risk if the track stays firm, but he was impressive that day at Bendigo.
Dangers:
YULONG DIASTER (12) looks an interesting runner, he debuted back in February and was easy in the betting, he looks to have come back bigger and better. SCHWISTER (6) is on debut and has trialed ok, as is OCEANITY (4) who is a recent winner at the trials. Watch for any money for those two to increase the confidence levels.
Race 3: BM64 Handicap 1800m
LEGALE (7) has not missed a place at his three career runs, a dominant heavy track performance last time when he was forced to sit wide on the speed throughout. He looks suited getting out to the 1800m and can find a nice trailing position early from the good draw.
Dangers:
GOLDEN FLAG (6) has been a little inconsistent this time in but he showed plenty of ability early in his career. He looks a big improver getting back on top of the ground after a couple of ordinary efforts in the wet. TRISTANI (3) will also appreciate the better conditions after a poor run in the wet last time in a harder race. SAN REMO (2) is owned in the same interests and is lining up for his second career run in Oz. He was ok fresh off the boat, sure to improve as he gets out in trip and may still need further.
Race 4: BM78 Handicap 2400m
HANG MAN (5) looks the best of the day and the early offering around 4/5 in the old looks a good bet. He couldn’t have been more impressive here last time in a similar race, settled midfield before being held-up at a vital stage. He showed great acceleration when clear and the jock sat up late.
Dangers:
SURVIVED (1) took up the running at his latest close runner-up finish, he will go forward again but will need some cheap sectionals to stave them off up the long straight here. VILLARDO (8) creates some interest coming south, he has had three Australian starts that have all been fair in NSW, he won two in a row in Germany before coming to our shores. BUT IT’S TRUE (9) ran on hard to score in an easier race on the soft track last time, he just may need a little luck getting off the inside when the runs come.
Race 5: Fillies and Mares BM70 Handicap 1400m
SCOLARIO (1) has been up for a while but the mare has shown that she is still racing well enough. She usually needs luck in her races with her pattern of getting back and running on, but with the clever claim and the likelihood of the speed to be genuine, look for her late.
Dangers:
NAANTALI (5) looks the obvious danger, she was a dominant winner last time when getting further back than what is the norm for her. She will be a lot closer off the inside gate, if she jumps she will try and lead all the way. GOLD FONTEIN (6) is a winner second-up, she showed that she has returned well off a long break with an eye-catching pacing last time. WHYOUASK (9) was only fair when resuming but looks to appreciate the extra furlong here and has won this pattern previously.
Race 6: 3YO Fillies BM64 Handicap 1300m
MY UNICORN (8) has the horrendous draw to overcome but no doubt they will chance their arm with her and send her forward at the start. She is coming off two decent efforts on heavy tracks, all four runs this time in have been consistent. If she can get across to be one of the first pair in running she will be hard to run down.
Dangers:
MISS PANDANUS (5) looks to have above average ability, she charged home on debut on the heavy track to win running away on debut. This is obviously harder, but the speed should be ok up front which suits. MAID TO MEASURE (11) was a brilliant maiden winner two back before only plodding through the heavy track last time, she will improve back on top of the ground. SHALWA (3) will probably start at the top of the betting but she looks a good risk after having a perfect run fresh and not winning. She gets a good claim but happy to be against her in the big field.
Race 7: BM64 Handicap 1300m
Of the main chances, OBSCURA (1) looks to be the best drawn horse and should get a soft run back in the field. He had no luck on the synthetic track last time when he was held-up and lost all momentum. He charged through the line late in what was a great return to racing after more than a year on the sidelines.
Dangers:
KAAPTIVE HERO (4) has been competitive of late, he will find this easier and although he is drawn the carpark, he will be carving over early to offset that bad draw. AL KHABEER (9) was a solid winner on debut, he will find this harder but has the speed to overcome the bad draw. He looks to have his share of ability and should be competitive taking on the older horses. KING MOMBASSA (8) is coming off a poor run on the heavy track where he over-raced, if he can settle better in front or in behind the leaders off the good draw he will be hard to hold out.
Race 8: BM78 Handicap 1300m
HOLY FREEZE (12) looks one of the better bets on the program. He is taking on the older horses and rises in grade from his last start win, but he carries 5kg less than what he did getting through the heavy track for that dominant win. He will get back, if there is a genuine tempo he should finish all over the top of them. He was a runner-up the only other time he has been here, he can go one better.
Dangers:
ONSLAUGHT (4) is from the Snowden yard, he had excuses when first-up last start and it could pay to forget that run in much harder company. He was flying last prep and maps to get a perfect run in transit. HE’S A MORAL (3) is probably the second stringer for the Weir camp here, he is well travelled of late but has been racing well. He will want to have the sit on his stablemate to be able to run over the top of him. REDEFINE (1) is an interesting runner having his first Australian start, he had won three on the bounce across the ditch before coming here. He has only had a five-week break, watch the betting late to see if those in yard see him as fit enough.