Summary of Best Bets
Best Bet: Race 7 (8) Factcheck
Turf Talk
- Sandown Lakeside is the inner of the two tracks
- It is tighter and despite having a decent 407m home straight, it can be tricky to make ground.
- All eyes on the weather with significant rain forecast. Light southerly winds won’t have much impact on racing; they won’t hurt leaders.
Race 1
(2) Hydrobomb was significantly bumped by the runner-up in the Sires, so that run can be forgiven. On debut he was impressive and had the measure of (6) Optimus on that occasion. Optimus led at a fast speed on debut and can quickly improve after a good trial between runs. (5) King’s Address was well beaten by Harry Met Sally but did beat the third horse comfortably, and Mark Zahra takes the ride. (10) Autumn Lover has run two nice ratings, including in the Talindert and at Sale, but has drawn wide and will need to overcome the barrier.
Selections:
(2) Hydrobomb
(6) Optimus
(5) King’s Address
(10) Autumn Lover
Race 2
(1) Obvious was excellent once he got over a mile last preparation and can improve quickly after being well beaten on resumption. (7) Mongolian Mission started short in the market last start and finished third behind Zakouma, who has since won well. He should settle prominently. (2) Mcwoody stayed on from the back in a strongly run race, though perhaps did not rate quite as well as it looked visually. (3) Yauson won well at Kyneton, but the figure there may not have been strong enough to justify favouritism in this race.
Selections:
(1) Obvious
(7) Mongolian Mission
(2) Mcwoody
(3) Yauson
Race 3
(7) Avenue Montaigne has joined the Begg yard and has trialled impressively. (1) Cavalry Scout ran well first-up when leading at a fast pace and can improve with that run under the belt. (4) Santana raced wide last week and was only narrowly beaten by Ten Warriors, so can improve with a kinder run.
Selections:
(7) Avenue Montaigne
(1) Cavalry Scout
(4) Santana
Race 4
(5) Empress Of The Sun improved sharply last start after a poor first-up run. She will be fitter third-up and has trialled nicely between runs. (9) Lady Thinkabell has run two good ratings at her past couple and gets in well with just 51kg. (1) Make It Sweet has been excellent this campaign without winning and gets another good chance here. (6) Sapphire Siren has been good in two runs in the Pakenham Future Star Series, though there is some doubt about how she will see out the trip.
Selections:
(5) Empress Of The Sun
(9) Lady Thinkabell
(1) Make It Sweet
(6) Sapphire Siren
Suggested Bet: Win bet Empress Of The Sun (5)
Race 5
(6) Gold Coast Belle should be able to lead and dictate. She is a talented filly and maps ideally. (5) Amping Lass came from last in a race that rated well at Cranbourne first-up and can improve over seven furlongs. (3) Dirty Look won well last start but may be ridden cold from a wide draw. (1) Lyrics N Song was a top pick last week before being scratched, but the application of bar plates does raise a query and dents confidence.
Selections:
(6) Gold Coast Belle
(5) Amping Lass
(3) Dirty Look
(1) Lyrics N Song
Race 6
(3) Highland Harley produced a strong rating when runner-up last start and Craig Williams sticking is a positive. (10) Scenic Point showed talent as a two-year-old without going on with it last preparation, but has trialled fairly well and can improve this time in. (8) Redders ran to a new peak in Adelaide last start and can hold or improve on that fourth-up. (7) Bedourie won well at The Valley one day and while he has not quite repeated that figure, this does look a suitable race for him to run well.
Selections:
(3) Highland Harley
(10) Scenic Point
(8) Redders
(7) Bedourie
Race 7
(8) Factcheck was brilliant on speed when only beaten by Jareth in fast time at Pakenham. Craig Williams rides, he should be ridden prominently again, and he looks perfectly placed to peak or at least hold his top. (3) Blistering has been in terrific form but may find Factcheck too good, especially at the weights. (5) Merchant Flyer improved sharply at his first run for Gavin Bedggood and is capable of causing an upset. (12) House Of Lords finished off well from the rear last start and rounds out the top four.
Selections:
(8) Factcheck
(3) Blistering
(5) Merchant Flyer
(12) House Of Lords
Suggested Bet: Win bet Factcheck (8)
Race 8
(15) Trapdoor was only beaten by Enamorada last start, and that form looks solid after Enamorada ran well at Caulfield on Saturday. He can improve quickly and looks a nice horse, though the draw is awkward. (1) Alero can roll forward and use fitness to advantage in a race where a few of the main hopes are still early in their preparations. (10) First Chorus bolted in on Oaks Day and remains lightly raced with upside. (5) Thebelmontgangster beat Observer first-up last campaign, though another wide gate makes things trickier here.
Selections:
(15) Trapdoor
(1) Alero
(10) First Chorus
(5) Thebelmontgangster
