Midweek selections from the PlayUp form analyst
Sandown R1 #3 Mister Jonno $2.40 at PlayUp – Second up here, coming off a strong debut run at Ballarat where he finished fourth as favourite in the race. He was very unlucky though, settling last off a terribly slow tempo and just spotting the winner far too many lengths at the top of the straight. He flew home in the second fastest last 200m of the entire meeting, and was the only horse to run on in the race from behind midfield. Second up now, and this smaller field will really suit him as he can sit back but only be a few lengths of the lead at the same time. With fitness and experience, can be going better now.
Sandown R4 #1 Belmia $1.75 at PlayUp – Second up and Craig Williams retains the ride, after running very credibly on this horse when resuming here. She finished only 3L off the extremely smart Benedetta, who has since been to Flemington and won the Inglis Sprint, running a time that was quicker than the G1 win of Roch ’N’ Horse last year at the same track and trip. Any form behind Benedetta is extremely strong, and down with fitness on her side from a low draw she can be taking care of these. The early money for the horse suggests she is extremely tough to beat.
Sandown R5 #4 The Swooper $3.10 at PlayUp – Third up and ready to peak here, coming off a dominant last start victory at Moonee Valley over 1200m’s. He led a controlled tempo there, and slipped clear on the turn putting the field away in effortless fashion. It was set up off the back of a decent return at the same track and trip the start prior, where he led and just got found wanting late, but he had been off the scene for over 14 months. He will really be coming into peak fitness now at this stage of the prep, and draws perfectly in barrier three to lead again here. This track really favours leaders, so expect him to be hard to catch.
Randwick-Kensington R2 #7 Soldier Of Rome $4.40 at PlayUp – This Waterhouse and Bott 2yo comes here on debut, and has been trialling since early November in preparation for this first run. The long lead up ensures that he should be very fit and forward for this first run, and his latest trial certainly suggests that as well. He won the trial over the longer 1045m in good fashion, and I always like when they have a longer piece of work leading into the first run. Drawn perfectly from barrier two with stable jockey Tim Clark engaged, a noted great rider of front running horses. Will lead and be very hard to catch i’m tipping.
Randwick-Kensington R8 #14 Cholante $2.25 at PlayUp – My eye was immediately drawn to this horse in the form guide when I saw that Clarry Conners had engaged James McDonald to ride this runner first up. She has trialled twice leading into the prep, and the latest at Rosehill over 900m was a dominant 1.5L victory under not much riding in very good time. She managed to string two wins on the bounce when resuming last prep, so clearly she runs well fresh, and she has definite black type ability as showcased by a 5th in the Listed Brian Crowley last prep, as well as only being defeated 3L in a G3 at Caulfield back in October. Love the huge booking of J Mac, signals intent for a win here.
