Expert selections for Sandown and Warwick Farm midweek racing, with some wetter tracks but still very competitive fields on the day. There is also a monster 10-race card from Devonport, racing at Rockhampton, Wangaratta, Bordertown and Pinjarra in the west. Check out the tips below.
Sandown R1 #9 Tycoon Bucks $1.85 at PlayUp – Third up here, and unbelievably didn’t get the bob in last start at this track and distance when flashing home from a rearward position. Off only an average tempo in front, she came from 2nd last and only just missed, recording the fastest last 800m sectional of the entire meeting. Third up here, J Kah sticks aboard from a good draw and she should be able to reverse the result with even luck.
Sandown R3 #10 Sebsilk $31.00 at PlayUp – The favourite in this race Duke Of Neworleans looks extremely hard to beat, but I can’t get away from the price we are getting about Sebsilk on an each way basis. Second up here, comes off a huge run fresh at Colac over 1200m where he spotted the leaders a big start on a notoriously leader-bias track, and managed to finish only beaten 1.5L and ran the fastest last 200m of the entire day in what was a huge return. Out to 1300m here will really suit him, and he was won second up previously. Drops a whopping 5kg from last start, and is worth an each way ticket. If the favourite gets close to even money, it looks a bet as well.
Sandown R5 #2 Larrikin $7.50 at PlayUp – Third up here and drops in grade, coming off a very solid effort at this track and distance last start. Got back in running off a solid tempo, which no doubt helped his cause, but unleashed with the fastest last 400m and 200m of the race to finish only 1L off the winner. The drop in class now suits, and he should be looking to peak here. Love that he sticks to the mile, and that sting out of the ground with a soft 5 is likewise beneficial to his chances. C Williams stays on, goes well.
Sandown R6 #1 Hard ’n’ Tough $4.00 at PlayUp – Honest as the day is long is this Symon Wilde mare, and very aptly named too as she is a horse who constantly gives 110% for connections on the track. Fourth up here at 2100m, and drops back from a Saturday race where she stuck on unbelievably well to only finish under a length off the winner. I’m tipping she is ready to peak now, out to her pet distance in which her record is 2:1-0-1, and returning to a track where she has won before also at this trip. The claim brings her under 60kg, which is a huge benefit, and being able to race against her own sex again should have her right in the thick of it. She’ll push on forward as usual, and shouldn’t have much opposition in front. If she can control the race even just slightly, she should win.
Warwick Farm R3 #10 Joe’s Joy $15.00 at PlayUp – Looks way over the odds here, and has clearly been missed by some as her form so far this prep has been ok without raving about. The major key here though, is the really wet track. Her heavy track form is far superior to anything else in this race, and last prep at this 2000-2200m journey on a heavy she ran some absolute bottlers in similar grade. She is extremely well weighted with only 55kg, will be rock hard fit now fifth up into her preparation and looks to map nicely from barrier five. Jockey S Clipperton is riding in some good form over this past week, and at some big double figures i’m happy to speculate.