Wednesday racing rolls around, and there is some great meetings to get around to cure your midweek blues. Racing returns to the Lakeside track at Sandown in Melbourne, while we should be expecting the rail to be HOT at Canterbury for their 7-race card. Ipswich, Gawler, and Belmont in the West are the remaining meetings, and Play Up form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified his five best picks of the day below.
Canterbury R1 #1 Cat D’oro $2.00 at PlayUp – Comes here third up into his first racing campaign, and has form behind talented juvenile types in Yardstick and Tiny. Looking to peak here third up, coming out to 1200m looks ideal now at this stage of the prep. There is word around that the rail will be the ideal position in running, and he looks likely to find that box seat position from barrier three. He has a fitness edge over some rivals, and also form on wet going, which will also come in very handy in these heavy conditions. Is definitely better than this field, and can be winning the opener. Selections: 1-4-8-3
Canterbury R2 #2 Elizabeel $2.90 at PlayUp – First up here for the 3yo daughter of Power, and her recent trial over 900m at Rosehill I thought was quite strong. She sat in behind the speed, peeled out and made solid ground through the line under some riding. She seemed to handle the heavy conditions that morning quite well, which adds confidence here. She maps to find the lead very easily in a race with low tempo, and I think that will be the major key in this race. Form behind Peltzer and Overlord last prep is very strong, and I’m keen to be with her now. Selections: 2-3-8-6
Sandown R2 #2 Maccabee $5.00 at PlayUp – Keen to be with this team Mcevoy horse who comes here second up after a pleasing enough return last start. That was over 1200m at this track, and he made great headway through the line after being shuffled back through the field on the turn. Out to 1400m here will definitely suit, and if he is able to hold a more prominent position in the field this time with the extra distance, I expect him to be competitive here. Holding weight in equal grade is another positive factor. Selections: 2-6-5-1
Sandown R3 #1 Shotmaker $2.20 at PlayUp – Second up here after a very dominant display first up in a much easier race at Wodonga. He was obviously taken there for an easy scalp, and returns now to better grade looking to stamp some claims for the Spring. I think there is still some queries over his ability at this longer distance, but he is fitter now second up, and does have a listed-level form line over 1400m at Flemington. The claim for Lafferty is a big help, bringing him down to a much more competitive weight, and I expect him to be competitive based off his class alone. Selections: 1-8-5-9
Sandown R7 #1 Don’t Doubt Dory $5.50 at PlayUp – I’ve always had a solid opinion of this horse, and I see no reason to jump off here in what looks a very winnable race. First up here to 1400m, but should be fit and forward enough off the back of some pleasing jump out efforts recently. He was a winner of three from four starts last prep, including a nice debut maiden win over 1500m, which not only proves his ability fresh, but his ability over the longer trip when fresh. The claim off the top weight is a big help, and he maps in a nice position from barrier 6. Selections: 1-10-6-5
