Racing

Racing Tips: 18th January

Midweek selections from the PlayUp form analyst.

Sandown R5 #6 Blakmax $2.25 at PlayUp – Comes here off a very encouraging fourth place when resuming at Geelong over 1200m. He sat back in running, and actually found himself last halfway through, behind a slow tempo in front which meant it was always going to be hard to win from there. Straightened up as the widest horse and flew home, running the third fastest last 400m and 200m of the entire day. Second up here and fitter, and can hold a handier position from the low draw today. Out to 1400m suits, finds a very winnable class one and the booking of D Oliver is the cherry on top.

Sandown R7 #6 Benedetta $2.45 at PlayUp – Third up here, and comes off a super impressive Cranbourne maiden win where she put the field away by 3.5L on the line. She took over at the top of the straight and bolted in, running a meeting fastest last 200m sectional even though she was basically untested through the line. This came off the back of a very impressive debut at Moe where she ran quick time in defeat, and i’m confident this filly has huge talent. Out to 1300m now at this stage is suitable, and she deserves this crack at midweek level. I think she will be putting them away here.

Sandown R8 #13 Luna Diva $16.00 at PlayUp – Each way play here in the last on a horse who looks well over the odds. Comes into this off a last start win at Benalla, which mightn’t sound too fancy but it was a very strong win. She carried a similar low weight there to score in very good time, and ran some quick sectionals home through the line as well. I think she is a filly racing in good form, and her form at the mile looks fairly strong. She will get back, appreciate the strong tempo, and be flying home out wide if they’re running on.

Wyong R5 #2 Seven Sisters $2.90 at PlayUp – This Godolphin filly has been off the scene for a while, but i’m keen to see her return as she looks to have great talent that can take her further than this midweek race at Wyong. Last seen running 5th in a strong 2yo Hcp race at Caulfield behind Cotel and Pinnace, two runners who have certainly gone on with things since then. She was only beaten 1.5L in a Blue Diamond Prelude, and then started a $26 in the G1 Blue Diamond itself, beaten under 10L there. She looks very forward leading into this fresh run, off the back of three solid trials behind smart horses. Drawn well, should run well in this small field.

Wyong R6 #10 Beer Palace $10.00 at PlayUp – Going to give this horse another chance, coming off an underwhelming resumption to racing at Randwick on Boxing Day where he was a well backed favourite. His trials leading into this prep were super, including matching motors with King Of Sparta over the 1050m at Randwick, who is a group horse. He got back at Randwick fresh and just never came into the race, but he deserves another shot here. Gets in well at the weights here against a winnable field, and now has some race fitness on his side to be running well.

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