Sandown Hillside betting tips & odds | Saturday, September 25
| What | Underwood Stakes Day 2021 |
| Where | Sandown Racecourse – 591-659 Princes Hwy, Springvale VIC 3171 |
| When | Saturday, September 25, 2021 |
| First Race | 12:10pm AEST |
| Feature Race | Group 1 Underwood Stakes – Race 7 |
| Watch Live | |
A bumper nine-part card is scheduled for the Hillside track at Sandown on Saturday afternoon for Underwood Stakes Day, and Horsebetting’s Victorian horse racing analyst presents his best bets and free quaddie numbers for the meeting. The track is rated a Soft 5 with the rail set in the true position for the entire circuit, and racing is set to get underway at 12:10pm AEST.
Race 1 – Mares BM90 Handicap (1000m)
The opening event on Underwood Stakes Day is a competitive Mares BM90 over 1000m and we are expecting the McEwen Stakes form that Esta La Roca brings is the right one over the 1000m sprint. Having been beaten two lengths when finishing fourth in a Group 2 consisting of The Inferno, Portland Sky and September Run, the four-year-old mare clearly has the strongest form lines heading into this. Josh Richards hops back on board who claims 3kg and with just 54kg on Esta La Roca’s back, we expect him to dictate terms and offer a kick at the 200m and continue the form he produced in the McEwen Stakes.
Selections: 4-5-6-3
Race 2 – BM78 (1400m)
Foxy Frida is set to resume off a short two-month spell and looks well placed to kick off her spring campaign with a win over 1400m. Alana Kelly is set to partner the four-year-old Foxwedge mare and with her 3kg claim, Foxy Frida is set to go around with just 55kg. From barrier three, Kelly will make sure she has her in the moving line and as she showed in tougher races than this last campaign, she can sustain a long run. With a well-timed steer, we have no doubt that Foxy Frida will be fighting out the finish and is set to do so at a nice price.
Selections: 14-12-6-18
Race 3 – 3YO C&G Handicap (1400m)
Our best bet of the day comes up in the third event, when the Danny O’Brien-trained Linas Legend pushes to make it three wins in a row to begin his campaign. The three-year-old Teofilo colt managed a comfortable two-length victory over the 1300m on the Sandown Hillside track when managing to lead all the way without being given full bore. Damian Lane retains the ride and from barrier two, he should have no issue in finding the front of the field, dictating terms and kicking clear. The main danger is Taunting, but from barrier 10 that horse will need plenty to go his way, suggesting Linas Legend is a smart bet.
Selections: 3-2-7-10
Race 4 – Jim Moloney Stakes (1400m)
The Listed Jim Moloney Stakes over 1400m is the first of the black-type races at Sandown on Saturday and we expect Mac ‘N’ Cheese to turn the tables on Zouzarella following their clash in the Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 4. Despite being beaten 2.4 lengths on that day, the Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained filly was arguably the run of the race having run on from the rear of the field. With $5 on offer for Mac N Cheese and $2.10 available for Zouzarella, the smart play looks to be backing Mac N Cheese. She draws barrier seven, and despite wanting to get back in the second half of the field, she will be able to build through her gears under Luke Currie. The step up to 1400m looks perfectly timed and if she brings her best, we expect she will be too hard to hold out.
Selections: 3-2-5-8
Race 5 – Sandown Stakes (1500m)
The Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Elephant comes to the Sandown Stakes following a narrow defeat in the Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley on September 4. That form was franked when Sierra Sue (who finished behind Elephant) came out and won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last weekend and in a field of seven he looks to be one of the better bets on the program. The second-place finish in the Feehan was his first taste of defeat in six career starts and looks to be a progressive type heading into some of the nicer races this spring. Despite dangers such as Cherry Tortoni and Harbour Views, we expect the class of Elephant to shine through in the Sandown Stakes.
Selections: 2-6-3-5
Race 6 – Handicap (1800m)
The opening leg of the quaddie looks to be one of the more open contests of the day, but we expect the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Floating Artist to make it three wins in succession. Having beat home the smart duo of Defibrillate and Persan at Flemington on September 11, the five-year-old son of Nathaniel looks to be far too good for his rivals here, despite the $3.90 quote being on offer. He’ll make his own luck sitting up on speed most likely outside the leader, and with Teo Nugent sticking on board with his 1.5kg claim gets in well at the weights with just 54.5kg on his back. With plenty of his rivals looking to be past their best, Floating Artist should be continuing his winning ways here at Sandown.
Selections: 5-7-1-9
Race 7 – Underwood Stakes
Zaaki is a $1.28 favourite for a reason in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes on Saturday. He is one of the best horses in the country and looks a near moral to take out a second Group 1 in his past three starts. With just four rivals to deal with, we expect the beginning of his Melbourne campaign to get off to the best start possible, with Probabeel his only danger if there is to be one.
Selections: 2-5-3-4
See our preview of the Group 1 Underwood Stakes
Race 8 – Testa Rossa Stakes (1300m)
The Listed Testa Rossa Stakes over 1300m looks to be a highly competitive race as it always is and we are happy to side with the Tasmanian, Newhart who is set to resume off a seven-month spell. He brings a bit of the unknown to the race, but does hold a victory over fellow Tasmanian Mystic Journey to his name last campaign in the Listed Thomas Lyons Stakes. Is record stands up against any of his rivals (15:8-5-0) and considering Craig Newitt has been board for all but two starts in Newhart’s career, we are sure “Froggy” will have him fighting out the finish. With the likes of So Si Bon, Ironclad, King Of Hastings and Chaillot engaged, this is sure to be a strong form reference going forward.
Selections: 2-1-6-3
Race 9 – BM84 Handicap (1800m)
We will be looking to the James Cummings-trained Flexible in the last at Sandown on Saturday, as he looks to make it consecutive wins to kick start this campaign. Having chased home Media Award when beaten a length in the Australasian Oaks three runs back, she is clearly a horse with an abundance of talent. She steps up to the 1800m which looks ideal and from barrier four, Damien Oliver should have her in prime position second up from a spell. She has shown she can be tactically versatile whether it is by setlting close to the speed, or giving her rivals a start and finishing over the top of them. Either way, we expect Flexible to be too strong late on for her rivals in the last at Sandown.
Selections: 11-3-13-8
Sandown Hillside quaddie numbers
| Sandown quadrella selections | |
|---|---|
| Leg 1: | 1-5-7-9 |
| Leg 2: | 2 |
| Leg 3: | 1-2-3-5-6 |
| Leg 4: | 3-8-11-13 |
| Investment: | $240 for 100% |