Midweek racing for the final time in Winter, and what a wet season it has been for most of the time. Most punters will be happy to see the return of drying tracks in the coming months, and the return of some serious quality horses too. Let’s finish off Winter with a bang, and PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has cast his eye over the Sandown and Kensington meetings, and come up with five good bets to be having. Doomben, Murray Bridge, and Belmont are the remaining metro meetings, but check out the selections from Lewis below.
Sandown Hillside R1 #3 Jungle Jane $9.50 at PlayUp – Fourth up off a freshen here, and i’m hoping we can get some odds around this mare as she comes off what looked a disappointing run at The Valley on face value. She settled rearwards on that occasion, and was not much hope from back there in a race which suited those on pace. Her final 200m sectional was not bad, and taking all things into account I believe it was a pass mark. The form out of the race is quite strong, as is all her form lines so far this prep. Form behind She Shao Fly reads well, and two back she finished ahead of Kentucky Tornado who has since started favourite in Saturday grade. Freshened, back to 1500m helps, and the likelihood of a heavy track plays right into her favour. Selections: 3-2-9-8
Sandown Hillside R4 #9 Drone Strike $6.50 at PlayUp – Second up here, and was unsighted when racing fresh last start in the G3 Quezette at Caulfield over 1100m. Got back in the field and just failed to run on, but held ground ok late through the line. Comes way back in grade here, and her second up run last prep was a good win. 1300m now helps, and a win on a soft 7 here at Sandown last prep indicates she can get through the wet going, a major advantage over some other gallopers in this event. Blinkers on should definitely help, expect a much improved run today. Selections: 9-11-12-6
Sandown Hillside R8 #6 Approach Discreet $4.40 at PlayUp – Comes here rock hard fit fourth up, and is a last start track and trip winner in equal grade. That win, though, was very dominant, pulling away under hands and heels by 2.5L on the line. Has to rise in weight here, but the dominant last start victory has me thinking that he is in a great patch of form, and can win again. Should be able to settle closer from barrier two, D Oliver retains the ride as well, and although untested on an official heavy track, the way in which he won on the soft 7 going last start indicates that a wetter track should be no issue. Selections: 6-2-13-5
Kensington R4 #5 Kingsheir $2.60 at PlayUp – Would be very surprised if this Lindsey Park trained colt doesn’t bounce back to winning form in this race. He was well beaten last start as a $1.50 favourite at Warwick Farm on a heavy 9, and the simple explanation is that he simply did not handle the heavy track. He will strip fitter for running around there, and coming here second up back to a firm surface, and out to 1550m, he will be very hard to beat. His win on debut rated very well (higher than any other horse in this event), and he maps for a gun run from barrier six. Hopefully due to the last start loss, we can secure close to even-money about him today. Just wins. Selections: 5-7-2-1
Kensington R6 #7 Suave $3.90 at PlayUp – Happy to give this Godolphin runner another chance, who has gone under in two runs this prep when racing well in the market. They have both been on very heavy tracks, which I think is very unsuitable. Third up here, and will be very fit if nothing else thanks to the two runs on heavy going. Sticking to the 1400m will suit, he has a good record at this trip, and striking this firmer surface should see him improve greatly. Is going to need luck & a gun steer from barrier 10, but should be in the finish here. Selections: 7-8-3-9
