Wednesday racing at Sandown with form and free tips, February 29
SANDOWN hosts an eight-race card this Wednesday and we have form and free tips for every race.
Betting on the midweek cards is a good way to top the account up before the weekend racing starts and punters will be excited about the fields in store.
Punters can get boosted odds on selected races with Ladbrokes.com.au, so sign up to bet at Sandown which starts with the Hamilton Reid Accountants Maiden Plate at 1.30pm.
Race 1 – Hamilton Reid Accountants Maiden (1200m)
Mulin has been well-backed to win both race day starts to date and it has gone close. The Lindsay Park-trained gelding finished a nose behind the winner on debut at Seymour and it wasn’t beaten far last start. The nicely-bred son of Sepoy is expected to break maiden grades very soon and from the inside barrier draw, we’re expecting jockey Regan Bayliss to settle forward and kick strongly in the straight.
Macaria is having its second career start for Jamie Edwards after running well on debut. The three-year-old filly was an $18 chance at Moonee Valley and it ran on well behind My Aim Is True which has since run well. Top jockey Damien Oliver sticks with the daughter of Henrythenavigator and another good run is expected.
Race 1 tip: Mulin to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 2 – Comcater R78 Handicap (2100m)
Tremec is long overdue a win and despite finding form over the hurdles, it looks a solid each way chance on the flat. The Eric Musgrove-trained gelding has needed both runs back in this preparation and its stats read well for this. It has won twice at this distance and it placed in its only start at Sandown. Apprentice jockey Brandon Stockdale takes 3kg off its back which helps.
Red Shift wasn’t too far behind them last time out at Ballarat and it will enjoy having the run under its belt. The Archie Alexander-trained gelding was a winner at Swan Hill in this grade before spelling and it runs best at this distance. The eight-year-old has won twice from three starts at the 2100m and it has won and placed second up. Looks a solid winning chance.
Race 2 tip: Tremec to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 3 – Dream Thoroughbreds R64 Benchmark (1200m)
Astro Castro created headlines when winning on debut at Flemington at odds of $101, but there has been little to get excited about since. The Alan Hunter-trained gelding finished 10th in the Bobbie Lewis before dropping right back in grade at Geelong and finishing last in a field of six. Tiffani Brooker takes 2kg off its back which will help and we’d love to see a return to form.
Bastille couldn’t have been more impressive on debut at Ballarat. The Lindsay Park-trained colt was the $1.90 favourite and it showed why when winning by 5.25 lengths. The nicely-bred son of Snitzel toyed with the field and another strong performance looks likely. It is being kept to the midweek grades which suggests it still needs time to mature, but it clearly has talent. Interesting rider choice.
Race 3 tip: Bastille to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 4 – Mitavite Challenge R78 (1600m)
Vandancer is a quality midweek type which has shown its full potential this campaign. The Michael Moroney-trained mare scored a quality win at Sandown two starts back when winning by 2.25 lengths and it followed that up with a solid second last start. The four-year-old mare finished second behind Honey Cara at Flemington and it saves its best efforts for this track. It has drawn well and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Katelyn Mallyon go forward from barrier two.
Backstreet Lover has improved with time this campaign and it comes into this having finished second at Pakenham. The Jason Warren-trained four-year-old will enjoy having another run at the mile where it has placed twice from three starts and the drop in weight down to 54.5kg is ideal. We’re expecting jockey Chris Symons to drop it back and work home nicely.
Race 4 tip: Vandancer to win at Bet365.com
Race 5 – Nick Johnstone Real Estate R70 (1600m)
Cambodian Prince is in the right stable for this and another strong showing is expected. The Hayes/Dabernig-trained gelding finished second behind Fuhryk on debut which has turned into great form this season. It then broke maiden grades at Mornington and has since won again at Pakenham. The three-year-old by Sepoy is expected to win these midweek races and bookmakers will likely have it short in the market.
Fast Plan scored an overdue win last start and it could kick on with it now. The Darren Weir-trained colt was costing punters plenty of money this season, but it stepped up to the plate with a narrow win last start and it will be well-educated from the Weir stables. The three-year-old has drawn wide in barrier 11, but it’s an adaptable type and it goes well on this track.
Race 5 tip: Cambodian Prince to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 6 – Tab R78 Handicap (1200m)
Weather The Storm loves to mix its form, but it’s talented on its day. The Cindy Alderson-trained mare was an impressive winner at Moonee Valley last time out against a five-horse field. The four-year-old stepped right up in grade for the win which made it extra impressive and it typically goes well at Sandown. Jockey Dwayne Dunn isn’t riding in the best of form this season, but it will appreciate running at midweek level.
Bassett is only a two-win gelding, but it has the class edge on this field. The Mick Price-trained gelding is having its first start on this track which follows a strong placing at Sandown Hillside last time out. It has form behind the likes of Odyssey Moon and Divine Mr Artie, so its winning chances appear great here. Beau Mertens takes 2kg off its back and we’re expecting a top effort.
Race 6 tip: Bassett to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 7 – Mitavite Challenge R70 (1400m)
Kilmacurragh has plenty of talent and resumes a new campaign at midweek level. The Hawkes-trained gelding has won two from three starts fresh up and it’s looking to rebound after a disappointing last-placed finish at Flemington. The son of O’Reilly won its only start on this track in January last year where it defeated the talented Howard Be Thy Name and a similar run takes it close in this.
Craven Image will give them a run for their money despite running poorly last start. The Weir-trained gelding failed to make ground fresh up, but it wants more time to strengthen up and its form prior included two consecutive wins. The son of Reset has plenty of talent for this grade of racing and we wouldn’t be surprised to see it finishing among the placings.
Race 7 tip: Kilmacurragh to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 8 – Le Pine Funerals R84 (1400m)
Craig Williams partners Atlantic City which has been knocking on the door this campaign. The Mark Kavanagh-trained gelding finished a half-length behind Dusty Jack last start at Sandown and its form prior featured some good efforts behind classy types. Williams riding down in the weights at 54kg is a recipe for success and we’re expecting punters to come for it.
Hijack Hussy is a five-year-old mare which isn’t the most consistent type, but this is a fair drop in class. The Weir-trained runner is dropping back from running at the Magic Millions meeting for $1 million, so punters should forgive its form line. It did win at Flemington prior to that effort and it won’t have to improve much to repeat that effort.
Race 8 tip: Atlantic City to win at WilliamHill.com.au