A bumper nine race card has been assembled for Sandown Lakeside on Wednesday. The weather is fine, the track is good (4) and the rail is out seven metres for the entire circuit.
Race 1. (13:40) Ladbrokes Odds Boost Multi Handicap 1300m
Tricky race for the juveniles to start the meeting. I’ll go the way of 2 Feudal Empire (Bet Now: $3.30). Was keen on him when he debuted on the Hillside course and the market loved him, but didn’t fire a shot and was found to be lame post race when down the track behind a very sharp Starry Legend. Then went to Sale, was ridden cold and charged late to just miss. Think he’s one of the hardest to beat.
5 Unforgiven (Bet Now: $8.00) is a well bred colt who debuted in the same Sale race mentioned above. He was well supported late, but just got a bit too far back in the run. Still, finished off his race with real purpose late in the piece in a good effort. Fitter and up in trip, he’s a leading contender.
Interesting runner here is 4 Three Kings (Bet Now: $3.70) for the McEvoy camp. Backed as if unbeatable when debuting on the Parks track back in early March but was wide no cover for the trip and tired late behind Champagne Dreams. Subsequent trial was a sharp piece of work and the sustained market push on debut suggests he might be above average.
Race 2. (14:15) Ladbrokes Cash In Handicap 1300m
I think this race is all about 1 South Parade (Bet Now: $3.50) and maintaining his form. If he does, he wins again. Talented three year old for John Sadler that is starting to put it together now. Beat the older horses in a 58 to break the maiden tag two back at Bendigo before racing here two weeks ago when leading throughout under a lovely ride from Matty Cartwright. Should find the front again and prove hard to get past.
The lack of overall depth gives 3 Ice Ice Baby (Bet Now: $4.80) some hope, but I have been really disappointed with him this time in. On speed here last time and looked to have every chance I thought. Was only beaten a length but still expected more behind Celestial Sol. Blinkers off and Jamie Kah sticking, he’s a chance, but brave soul to bet with confidence.
5 Volatore (Bet Now: $8.50) is a Nicconi colt for the Maher/Eustace camp that resumes. He had two runs at the provincials to start his career in the Spring, winning on debut at Kimore before a solid second at Kyneton on a testing track. Thought his recent jumpout was sound enough and from gate one won’t be far away.
Race 3. (14:50) IVE > Print Handicap (64) 1600m
Good race for the three year olds here with a host of winning chances. Gate makes it tricky for 5 Steinem (Bet Now: $3.40) but I was taken with her debut win over 1400m at Pakenham. Came off the bit on the turn to get going and build the revs and that she did. Really finished the race off with purpose and looking like a filly that will appreciate further, so the mile suits and has enormous upside.
Fitter and up in trip are two big ticks for 2 Madame Boitier (Bet Now: $14.00). Resumed over 1300m here three weeks ago in what was more or less a prep run. Got back and made up ground late without threatening. Gets a significant jockey upgrade with Olly steering, who has ridden the horse super previously, and can sit much closer in the run.
11 Starlight Scope (Bet Now: $8.50) can sneak into the first four with luck in running. Pat Carey trained filly that was thrown in the deep end last time out in the Mornington Guineas but was far from disgraced I thought when fourth to a promising animal in Dom To Shoot. Off that effort, she’s in the mix here for sure.
Race 4. (15:30) Clanbrooke Racing Handicap (70) 1600m
1 Zousonic (Bet Now: $3.40) can be a hard mare to follow and trust with confidence, but she finds a very winnable race. Resumed over 1400m here three weeks ago and was a real eye catcher from the back against the pattern when fourth to Faretti, who ran well on Saturday to ensure that form was strong. If she can sit closer in the run for an in form Will Price, clearly the one to beat.
5 Contrition (Bet Now: $6.50) has returned in good order for the Price/Kent camp. Good late fresh at Pakenham behind Key To The Mak before improving off that and giving her rivals a spanking on a bottomless Ballarat track, finding the best ground under Michael Walker. Harder here, but soft draw and in form.
9 Mostly Sunny (Bet Now: $8.50) is an honest mare who is thereabouts more often than not. Resumed over 1400m here two weeks ago and despite being one of the first off the bit, she kept chipping away and found the line well enough behind Mistress Molly. Like her up in trip and Craig Williams does get on well with her.
Race 5. (16:10) The Big Screen Company Handicap (64) 1400m
Back up in trip is a big positive for 8 Dominus (Bet Now: $4.40) . Sharp winner over this trip two back at Ballarat before coming back 100m in distance when racing here two weeks ago and it just worked against him, but loved the way he closed off late. If he’s within range on the turn, he has the finale to put these away.
9 Facemask (Bet Now: $8.00) is a definite improver. Peter Moody trained gelding that resumed in the same race Dominus contested, which was won by South Parade. He just found the 1300m a bit sharp but stayed on and was a definite pass mark. Maybe needs one more, but stable is in form.
3 Bel My Pago (Bet Now: $9.50) has done little wrong for Lindsey Smith since coming over from WA. Three runs this prep have all been full of merit, her latest run coming at Warrnambool when a real closer late behind the likely type O’Reilly McLuke. Not sure she can win this, but soft draw and claim helps.
Race 6. (16:50) Ladbroke It Handicap (70) 2400m
I’m siding with 14 The Midnight Shift (Bet Now: $7.50). I dare say Clayton Douglas has jumping in mind for this former Kiwi, who has done a good job in a couple of runs in Australia. Last run came two weeks ago over 2100m here. Think Stackhouse might have pushed the button a tad early on him and that just told late when swamped. Jamie Kah back on, if he can get cover from the gate and a more patient steer, he’ll take beating.
3 Sign Seal Deliver (Bet Now: $3.60) is a real one batter who will ensure this is a proper 2400m and that if he is to be beaten, it will be via a proper stayer. He was one of the first under pressure two weeks ago but as we know he does, he’ll just keep chipping away and found plenty under pressure to win and win well. Harder here, but he has to be respected.
11 Annunciate (Bet Now: $23.00) is a knockout chance. I thought his effort at the Valley was full of merit. Sat back before making a midrace move and was there to win, but couldn’t quite finish it off. Stayed on well though to run fourth. Walker has a good record on him and is certainly capable of figuring in the finish.
Race 7. (17:30) Ladbrokes Easy Form Handicap (64) 1800m
There are better class horses and races for the meeting, but this is the race of the day for me. Good bunch of progressive middle distance horses, some of which have Oaks/Derby aspirations. A horse that does have Derby aspirations is 8 Deepstrike (Bet Now: $5.50). Big win from him to break the maiden tag at Pakenham. Loved the way he knuckled down to flatten out and chase, getting up on the peg. Form around him from the Spring is red hot and confident he can continue winning.
It’ll be fascinating to see what the market does with 13 Token Spirit (Bet Now: $9.00) given he comes through that 3YO VOBIS race on All Star Mile Day where they ran close to 30 seconds for the last 400m, which is fair dinkum walking speed. But, he was first up and made a sustained run from the back, just tiring late. If that hasn’t busted him, I think he’ll take beating.
17 He Is (Bet Now: $20.00) has the 2100m run under the belt so if this becomes a slog, he will be strong at the end. That 2100m run came here last start and he worked to the line pretty well in defeat from off the pace behind a tough stayer, Sign Seal Deliver. He’ll be around the mark provided it isn’t a sit/sprint.
Race 8. (18:00) Ladbrokes Blended Multi Handicap (78) 1800m
If it’s too good of a thing, it usually is…does that apply to 4 Pale King? (Bet Now: $2.60) Or does he continue winning? I couldn’t tumble into anything silly short ie $1.50/thereabouts, but I do think he is comfortably the one to beat. Impressive first up win here two weeks ago and did produce some of the better late splits of the meeting from on speed, so he’s heading in the right direction. This should be another stepping stone.
3 Independent Road (Bet Now: $3.50) is racing very honestly at the moment for the Hayes/Dabernig camp. He ran over the mile at Mornington when near the speed throughout and chased hard. Just no match for an in form Flandersrain. Racing well and should be around the mark once again.
12 Hezafox (Bet Now: $19.00) deserves another chance. He ran in the Country Mile Final at the Valley on All Star Mile Day and just forget he went around. Nothing went right for him on the tight track. He was good the start prior and off that effort, he can fill a first four spot.
Race 9. (18:30) Ladbrokes Odds Boost Exotics Handicap (70) 1000m
Contender or pretender time for 14 Pinkham (Bet Now: $3.60). Trialled up like Black Caviar prior to resuming in the Kevin Hayes when run down late after seemingly getting every chance. Then ran down the straight and was quite plain I thought behind Marboosha. If she can’t go close here, her blacktype days are over.
11 That Girl (Bet Now: $6.50) is a daughter of Sizzling for Phillip Stokes that resumes. This girl has such an awful racing pattern but has a decent motor on her when she gets conditions to suit. First up last prep was on Pakenham Cup Day and she was good late when second to stablemate Defiant Dancer in a fast race. That reads well for this.
Market will be fascinating with 5 Lassiter (Bet Now: $9.50), who resumes for the McEvoy camp. Won her first three career outings in such impressive before her first career defeat, which came in April last year when down the track behind One More Jack in what has turned out to be a red hot form reference. Trialled well leading in and does have quality when right.
Best Bets & Quaddie Tips
BEST BET: Race Four Number 1 Zousonic
NEXT BEST: Race Two Number 1 South Parade
LONG SHOT: Race Six Number 14 The Midnight Shift
Quaddie Tips (Races Six Through To Nine):
Leg One: 2, 3, 7, 11, 14
Leg Two: 8, 13, 17, 20
Leg Three: 4
Leg Four: 5, 6, 11, 14
$50 Investment = 62.50% of the dividend if successful
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