Winter midweek racing before us, and finding some winners around the country is the perfect tonic to overcome the hump day blues. The inner Kensington track at Randwick is the feature in NSW, meanwhile in Melbourne they will be racing on the Lakeside surface at Sandown. Doomben continues its run of meetings up north, while Balaklava and Belmont round out the other two metropolitan venues today. There are 10 races from Sha Tin as well, with an earlier than usual kick off time of 3:00 p.m. AEST, and our man Zac Purton is edging very close to another jockey premiership title! PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified five bets around the country, check them out below.
Sandown Lakeside R1 #2 Galenus $2.40 at PlayUp – This ex-Tasmanian mare is looking to continue her successful mainland campaign here, lining up for start number two under the care of Pat Payne. His win when first up 8 weeks ago was very dominant, showing great natural speed throughout to lead the entire journey and never look a danger of being caught. He acquitted himself very well, and his go-forward racing pattern ensures he will be every chance here again today. Has been freshened between runs, sticks to the 1200m, and any sting out of the track will not hurt either, a win two starts back at Launceston on a soft 7 tells me that. I think he can contest some good races during the spring, and should be putting this field away. Selections: 2-1-7-3
Sandown Lakeside R2 #10 Derive $4.80 at PlayUp – Thought the price about this promising filly was too good to pass up when comparing to the others in the market. Comes here third up ready to peak, after a run last start where she hit the lead and loomed as the winner, but was collared by Mystique Falcon who fought off the canvas. Fitter again for that effort, and looks perfectly drawn in barrier one to be right up on the speed getting a great run. Carries 2kg less than others at the head of betting, and we are getting a much better price. Selections:10-4-3-8
Sandown Lakeside R4 #6 Mrs O’malley $7.00 at PlayUp – Loved the way this mare attacked the line last start on the Hillside track, coming from near last on the turn to finish within 1L of the winner. It was very impressive the way she let down, and was made all the better by defying the on-pace bias of the day. Stepping out to 1600m here looks very suitable, and she is well weighted by the claim for Lewis German, down to a bottom weight of 55.5kg. The sting out of the track is no issue, and they should be able to make ground out wide. Great each way bet! Selections: 6-4-2-8
Randwick Kensington R2 #1 Camerlengo $3.20 at PlayUp – Sticking solid here with this 2yo son of More Than Ready, who was beaten as favourite on debut last start, but not disgraced by any means. He managed to lead every step bar the one that counted, just claimed on the post by a swooper out wide. Much fitter now 2nd up, and sticking roughly to the same distance range, I expect him to roll forward again from the inside barrier, and be able to hold on through the line this time. The heavy track is no issue, and he holds weight off the debut run. Selections: 1-3-9-12
Randwick Kensington R5 #10 Savigne $3.50 at PlayUp – On the quick back up here after a very easy win last start at Canterbury in similar heavy conditions as to what she will find again today. Scoring by close to 2L on the line, and the margin was extending after the post as well. Steps out to 1800m here, but it looks suitable based on that effort, and she has placed at this distance previously as well. The quick back up tells me the stable are confident that she can win this race, and she maps for a great run handy to the speed from barrier four. Selections: 10-6-2-11
