A really competitive day of midweek racing comes before us. Big fields and competitive betting opportunities are definitely at the fore, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane all hosting strong 8-race cards. A bit of rain around in Sydney, so the track at Warwick Farm is likely to start in that soft range, while the rail is out +12m at Sandown, so keep an eye out for an expected on-pace bias. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has identified five key bets for today, check them out below.
Sandown R1 #10 Kansino $3.40 at PlayUp – Very good on debut running quick times over the 1400m at Pakenham. Got midfield in the run and after improving between horses early in the straight, she really powered home the last 100m. It was most impressive, and she will be very well suited here stepping up an extra 100m to the 1500m journey, and from barrier 6 can settle very handy in the run. Holds weight, John Allen sticks aboard and holds weight. Another key is that the rail is out +12m, and she will likely settle in front of other main chances, giving her a serious edge of holding a winning margin seeing that it may be difficult to run on.
Sandown R3 #9 Sealed $10.00 at PlayUp – Gone for some value here in a wide-open race. Sealed comes here fourth tip reaching peak fitness, and stepping back to the 1300m from the mile is a big positive. Last start when 6th at Pakenham, she didn’t appreciate the wet going, nor did she see out the distance. Back on top of the ground here, and from barrier four is likely to have a very sweet trail into the race. Her record at the distance is 2:1-0-1, and is definitely worth an each-way play at double-figure odds. The 3kg claim for Will Price is the cherry on top, bringing her weight down to a super competitive 54.5kg.
Sandown R6 #3 Charleise $6.00 at PlayUp – Another serious chance for the Maher/Eustace & J Allen combination, which we know is very strong. Charleise comes here to the 1300m first up, her most recent trial was very strong over 800m, really working well through the line under a big hold. The winner of that trial has since come out and won dominantly, adding even more merit to Charleise’s work in second place. The form reads well first up (2:1-0-1), and the distance looks to be no issue. She has previous form behind Microphone on debut and was only beaten 3L by Loving Gaby in a G3 last prep. From barrier 5 she will sit right outside the leader and will be in this race for a long way.
Warwick Farm R1 #2 Damaged $2.50 at PlayUp – Returns from a spell, had the one run on debut last prep at Randwick and finished 2nd behind Return With Honour over the 1100m. His recent trial was great, winning over the 805m on a heavy 8, which is possible unsuitable going. Comes here at the 1100m again, will have no doubt taken improvement from the time off, as most 2YO’s tend to do. Top jockey Tom Marquand takes his first ride in Aus for the royal blue, needs a touch of luck from barrier 7 to find cover and have a nice run if all goes to plan he should be winning here.
Warwick Farm R2 #9 Raison D’etre $3.40 at PlayUp – On debut here for Godolphin and James Cummings, this 2YO filly by Exceed And Excel looked very sharp in her most recent trial. Ridden stone-cold in last position, she was given time to balance up and showed a great turn of acceleration from the 200m onwards to finish off very strongly. The booking of James Mcdonald is very promising, and from barrier two she can have every chance with the rail to follow. Hopefully, her trial form carries over to race day if it does she is a serious winning chance.
