Sandown racing form, odds and free tips, Wednesday August 24
PUNTERS get the chance to see some quality up-and-coming types at Sandown this Wednesday.
It may be a midweek card, but all eyes with be on the meeting where there are multiple early spring fancies lining up for the big stables.
The Heritage Finance Handicap is one of the better midweek fields punters will ever see, with the likes of King’s Authority, Motown Lil and Eurack lining up.
It all starts with the Chandler MacLeod Plate at 12:30pm, but before that starts sign up to Topbetta.com.au for not only a great sign up bonus, but some of the best odds available at Sandown.
Race 1 – Chandler MacLeod Plate (1000m)
Zarpoya has been running against some quality opposition and it should have appreciated the run back last start. The Robbie Griffiths-trained filly finished third on debut behind Arctic Angel and sixth behind Catchy. That’s great form for this and it just needs some luck from the tricky draw.
Moonlight’s Reward has drawn wider in barrier 15, but it showed good gate speed on debut and it could improve. The three-year-old colt by Reward For Effort ran second behind Purely Royal at Cranbourne in April and was quickly put to the spelling paddock. It’s good to see Craig Newitt stay in the saddle and it could represent each way value.
Race 1 tip: Zarpoya to win at Bet365.com
Race 2 – Dream Thoroughbreds Handicap (1500m)
Sky Punch ran second on debut at Sale before winning at Geelong by a slim margin. The Freedman-trained three-year-old then took on a tough field at Flemington where it ran on well behind Sheer Madness and it gets the inside draw to work with her. That form should hold up nicely and Craig Williams riding is a positive.
Mutamayel looked the goods on debut and a repeat could be on the cards. The Lindsay Park-trained three-year-old scored by just under a length at Pakenham and although this is a much harder ask, it’s in the right stable and they’re firing at the moment. It will likely settle back with plenty of pace up front and it could sling shot them late.
Race 2 tip: Sky Punch to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 3 – The Resimax Group Plate (1600m)
City Chap is on debut for Cindy Alderson and it has the breeding to suggest that it will handle this distance. The three-year-old by High Chaparral is out of a New Zealand mare so it will handle the mile and any moisture on the surface. It would pay to follow any positive betting moves with this runner, but Beau Mertens rides and that’s a good sign.
Eira had each way support on debut at Geelong and it battled on well. The Danny O’Brien-trained colt was only 2.55 lengths behind the winner Altro Mondo and it’s another which is bred to run further the older it gets. It will likely be able to find its feet from out wide and Damian Lane will let it go through the gears.
Race 3 tip: Eira to place at CrownBet.com.au
Race 4 – Hamilton Reid Chartered Accountants Handicap (1400m)
Swiss Moments came over from New Zealand with big expectations, but it didn’t quite find the line as well as expected last start. The Michael Kent-trained daughter of Swiss Ace showed a great turn-of-foot in New Zealand when winning on debut and placing at Pukekohe two starts back. It may have needed the fresh up run in Australia last start and punters should expect a better showing.
Journeygirl has won two of its five starts and Craig Williams takes the ride. The Beer/Hinton-trained four-year-old scored easily at Geelong two starts back before repeating the dose as a $41 chance last start. It stays in the same grade for this and gets the inside draw to its advantage. Rising in weight won’t help, but consider.
Race 4 tip: Swiss Moments to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – Win A Car at Highway’s Handicap (1600m)
Positively High has drawn positively wide, but it will likely drop back and work home. The Price-trained four-year-old ran a close second on debut at Sale before winning on a slow track at Pakenham last start. There was plenty of merit in that win and it’s bred to handle the rise in distance. Would like to see it with less weight on its back, but it could run into the money.
Antipas showed its quality last start when winning by 2.75 lengths at Pakenham. The Tony McEvoy-trained three-year-old had run against tough opposition at Flemington prior to that and it struck nicely when dropping down in grade. The son of Testa Rossa shouldn’t find this any harder and it could show up at each way odds with bookmakers.
Race 5 tip: Antipas to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 6 – Heritage Finance Handicap (1000m)
Eurack couldn’t have been any more impressive winning its first two starts to date and it has created a big impression. The four-year-old mare won by 3.5 lengths on debut at Bendigo and provided a big burst of speed to win at Sandown last start by 4.25 lengths. The daughter of Oneworld has a brilliant turn-of-foot which will win it plenty of races, but this is its toughest test to date.
Motown Lil has taken on harder fields than this and it runs well on this track. The Robert Smerdon-trained mare has won two of its four starts on this track and it’s rarely too far away from them fresh up. It has the class and experience to deal with the well-favoured types and it will appreciate getting some weight off its back.
Race 6 tip: Eurack to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 7 – Tab Handicap (1400m)
Brahmos couldn’t have been more impressive on debut when winning at Sandown. The John Sadler-trained four-year-old scored by 1.25 lengths over subsequent winner Bons Away and that form looks strong for this. The son of Smart Missile has many more wins in store and it’s good to see Craig Williams sticking with it.
Vellastar scored back-to-back wins earlier this campaign and it fought on well behind Crystal Fountain last start. The five-year-old is probably better suited to running on rain-affected tracks, but it has never finished out of the money in three starts at this distance and it could provide punters with good each way value.
Race 7 tip: Brahmos to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 8 – Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1800m)
Baykool didn’t fire last start on this track, but its form prior included a fourth in the VRC St Leger. The Pat Carey-trained stayer has placed twice on this track and it will enjoy racing on a good track if conditions suit. Jack Martin takes 3kg off its back which takes it to 51.5kg and that will put it right into contention.
Pablo’s Express has looked smart winning its last two starts and the rise in grade has been offset by the light weight. The Greg Eurell-trained son of High Chaparral defeated Back to the Bowler last start which is smart form and Craig Newitt rides at 54.5kg. We’re expecting punters to bet confidently with the in-form runner.
Race 8 tip: Pablo’s Express to win at CrownBet.com.au