Wednesday racing commences here in the winter months, and as expected we have some wet tracks to contend with around the country. Sandown Lakeside in Melbourne hosts an 8-race card in heavy conditions, meanwhile the Kensington track at Randwick will host a 7-race program, and it should be a wet track as well with rain around the area on Tuesday. Two meetings in Queensland at Doomben and Emerald, and Canberra, Gawler and Belmont round out the day. PlayUp form analyst Lewis Willoughby has cast his eye over the Sydney and Melbourne programs, and come up with five of his best plays to have today. See them below
Sandown Lakeside: R3 #1 Atlantica $6.50 at PlayUp – Fourth up into her prep here, and has been a model of consistency throughout all runs so far. Last start she was fourth behind Jamaican Hurry at Flemington in much harder grade, and two runs back she was a dominant winner at the exact same track and distance she faces today. If she was able to repeat the effort of any of her runs so far this prep, I believe she is hard to beat here in this BM70 event. The 3kg claim for J Lloyd brings her down to a competitive weight, and the heavy track is no issue, she loves the mud. Maps for a sweet run from barrier 5, looks a great bet at the current quote.
Selections: 1-8-10-2
Sandown Lakeside R6 #2 Grand De Flora $3.10 at PlayUp – Second up here, coming off a very dominant win on Aus debut last start, eased down won by 6L on the line over 1400m. She still managed to record the best last 200m sectional of the race, even though she was eased down a long way out from the line. I think the mile will be no issues, and she is even fitter now second up here. Would love to see them roll forward from barrier 14, as there looks to be a lack of speed in the race. Heavy should be no issue, she looks very talented and should be competitive here.
Selections: 2-1-10-4
Sandown Lakeside R8 #9 Taberna $11 at PlayUp – Comes here fourth up off the back of a super run last start, forced to make a sustained run from last position, hit the front late but was just nabbed on the line as she peaked on her effort. I actually believe her run was better than the winner, and she gets a weight pull again on Hapaira, who was the winner last start. 3:1-0-1 at the 1400m, so the rise in distance no issue, maps well from barrier 5 and just looks to be over the odds at her current price, seeing she was not beaten far at all last start. Great each way bet.
Selections: 9-4-2-8
Randwick – Kensington: R2 #10 Wild Irish $4.60 at PlayUp – Fifth up into her debut campaign, ran a very good race last start over the 1200m behind September Run. That horse has since gone up to Brisbane and won a very good 2yo race, so the form is clearly stacking up well. Back in distance to the 1100m is a slight query here, but the wet track conditions could ensure that it is a genuinely run race, almost mimicking the feel over a 1200m event. Maps well from barrier four, holds weight and the wet should be no issue. Keen on her chances.
Selections: 10-1-3-7
Randwick R7 #3 Hibiscus Lady $9.50 at PlayUp – Ran a very good second place last start fresh behind Aussie in equal grade, settling on the fence and missing by a nostril hair on the line. That fresh run came off the back of a very good trial at Randwick. She does have to rise 3kg here up to 61kg, but does not necessarily look poorly weighted when looking at the remainder of the field. Second up she strips fitter here, and out to the 1100m will definitely suit now. She was a winner on heavy earlier in her career, so the track conditions should be no issue. Looks over the odds at her current quote.
Selections: 3-10-5-4
