Victoria holds centre stage tonight with the running of eight heats of the Melbourne Cup for sprinters, plus three heats of the stayers Bold Trease, both Group 1 events, being conducted at Sandown Park. Reigning Australasian Greyhound of the Year, Simon Told Helen, remains the all in pre post favourite, a position he has retained since markets for first posted shortly after the running of the 2019 Melbourne Cup.
The latest addition to the Million Dollar ranks, Tornado Tears, will be looking to qualify for yet another group final, something he has made a habit of over the last three years. Elsewhere, the final of the 400m Gold Muzzle Auction final will be run at Richmond where NSW sprinter Flying Ricciardo will be chasing his 17th career win at start 21, a wonderful stroke rate. In WA, the final of the 400m Shorts will be run at Mandurah, whilst four heats of the Group 3 Casino Cup will also attract plenty of attention.
Let us see if we can guide you into a winner in the Melbourne Cup heats at Sandown.
Sandown Race 3 No 3 Shima Shine $1.50 at PlayUp – Two starts back he was a convincing winner of the Top Gun at the Meadows, and followed up with a strong finishing second here last week in The Shootout. Should find the early lead and prove too strong. Selections: 3-5-1-7.
Sandown Race 4 No 7 Jim Zarr Dashian $7.50 at PlayUp – Has a flying personal best of 29.02 on this track. Drawn to follow the very speedy Junk Food Junkie (6) across the field, and from a forward position he will prove too strong. Selections: 7-6-8-5.
Sandown Race 5 No 2 Handsome Prince $2.35 at PlayUp – Winner of the recent Million Dollar Chase at Wentworth Park. At his first look at Sandown Park last week in a solo trial he clocked very fast splits before stopping the clock at 29.10. A repeat of that will see him winning. Selections: 2-5-4-7.
Sandown Race 6 No 3 Bobby The Brute $5.50 at PlayUp – Lightly race but much travelled performer who seems to have found his niche in the Brendan Pursell kennels. Colossal effort recently when placed in the Geelong Cup. Found the lead early last start when a string this track and distance. Can repeat that last effort here. Selections: 3-4-5-1.
Sandown Race 7 No 4 Simon Told Helen $2.35 at PlayUp – Pre post favourite for the final, will have to much speed and class for this field despite the awkward box 4 draw. Selections: 4-8-7-3.
Sandown Race 8 No 6 Catch The Thief $4.60 at PlayUp – Has almost become the forgotten dog leading into the heats following a couple of below par performances. We believe there were genuine excuses in both the Geelong Cup and the Top Gun when he finished unplaced, so we are prepared to forgive. Excellent record on the track. Can lead all the way. Selections: 6-1-8-3.
Sandown Race 9 No 4 Stardom $7.50 at PlayUp – Raced well in the recent Million Dollar Chase series, the followed up with an excellent last start second at this track and distance. Has the speed to find the lead and upset the short priced favourite here. Selections: 4-8-6-1.
Sandown Race 10 No 3 Christo Bale $4.00 at PlayUp – Lots of speed in this field which will Bring about the undoing of a number of the top chances. This fellow is as strong as an ox, and very smart in a field, and these assets can see him prove too strong in the run to the line. Selections: 3-4-7-1.
In the three heats of the Bold Trease, we believe Tornado Tears (R1 N1), Houdini Boy (R2 N5) and Just Terms (R11 N2) can win their respective heats and progress to next week’s final.
