SANDOWN Lakeside
SANDOWN LakesideWednesday April 18
BEST BET: GALAXY RAIDER Race 7#3
BEST VALUE: SCOLARIO Race 8#5
Race 1: 11-4-8-9
NIGHT FALLS will go off favourite here after good return Pakenham 1200m indicating 1300m would suit here but I am going with VITANI, beaten (4 lens) as a $1.40 favourite at Pakenham where it went a bit pear shaped before start. Still learning and happy to look at the $3.10. THE ROUSEABOUT was another last start short priced beaten favourite ($2.25-$1.90) Sale when tardily away and still green. ABSOLUTE HEAVEN is quickly out from 1000m when resuming and another with a chance in even maiden.
SUGGESTED: Competitive maiden, like VITANI.
Race 2: 2-1-5-3
CHOYSA was able to beat OUR YANGTZE and HEGEMON, each having run since. That was 3000m on Hillside but just thinking it is the race of Our Yangtze today – went out to 3600m at Oakbank so obviously well grounded. The other two remain competitive obviously in a skinny race.
SUGGESTED: OUR YANGTZE gets its turn.
Race 3: 1-2-6-7
Competitive race again but going HECTOPASCAL over favourite THAT RINGS A BELL – both last start winners on Hillside, Hectopascal strong at 1400m and back 100, here while That Rings A Bell can only be touch fitter for big closing win – just may be looking for the extra 100m now. RUBY SEA is consistent and ARDRA STORM will race forward and is touch over the odds.
SUGGESTED: Good race, HECTOPASCAL.
Race 4: 5-2-6-10
CONNERY will run favourite after finally breaking through ($1.26) in a very skinny Stawell maiden but might be the confidence booster it needed but I’d rather be backing FILBERT WAY who was well tried into $3.00 Hillside last time blew the start then had little luck in the straight. Won’t want to give the inside gate away here and can race forward with clean jump. Respecting MANHATTAN ARCH from in-form Bowman stable – tough on pace maiden win then sound Ballarat when just missed and gap to 3rd. Drawn for perfect run also. THE SLEDGEHAMMER was $9.00 to $6.00 resuming Hillside and can excuse the performance. Can improve.
SUGGESTED: FILBERT WAY at the odds.
Race 5: 6-1-3-5
Been strong early move for ROMANESQUE who was good through the line end of 1600m Ballarat and looks as though 2100m ideal now. NAVAL WARFARE (9th) and POW WOW (last) come through same stronger Flemington race, both imports who will improve off 2 local runs. BIG HAMMER is now ready off 2 runs back from decent break.
SUGGESTED: Money (and form) says ROMANEQUE.
Race 6: 3-2-5-10
PLATINUM ANGEL is back to this easier grade off passable Kewney Stakes (G2) Flemington and sound G2 run at The Valley. Will need touch luck from draw but profiles well. EXTREME BLISS was solid after tardy jump in similar grade Hillside last time, gets good run from alley. MOANA JEWEL is lightly raced filly who dominated at Pakenham, FABRICATION finally got a maiden away at maiden and can measure up at odds. SKY LAKE in the quaddie.
SUGGESTED: PLATINUM ANGEL is well graded here.
Race 7: 3-4-11-12
OK, surely this is the race for GALAXY RAIDER – surely. Racing pattern is why it is only 2 from 20 with 9 placings, mostly when under $5. Hard to make convincing case for rival though respecting the way TIGIDIG TIGIDIG is racing well enough to pose a threat. MAKATITI is fit and should make its own luck and BUENA VELOZ might be the best value, better suited 1400m 2nd-up here.
SUGGESTED: Close your eyes and think GALAXY RAIDER repays us.
Race 8: 5-8-12-15
SCOLARIO was a beaten favourite Ballarat last time, can give away a big start which is why I don’t fear the alley. But this is hard race. QUEEN BECKI is lightly raced and building a good profile. NIAMH CHINN OIR races forward and form may be enhanced by That Rings a Bell earlier in the day. ENSUING appeals as best value. JOCASTA did beat Scolario home last start and is respected.
SUGGESTED: SCOLARIO in wide race.
QUADDIE:
1-3-5-6
1-2-3-5
3-4
2-5-8-12-15
$80 for 50%