Midweek racing returns to Sandown Hillside and Warwick Farm with fine weather predicted for both Melbourne and Sydney.
It should make for a fantastic day of racing on good, fast tracks that will give horses every opportunity to win.
Time to line those betting accounts with some winners!
Sandown Race 5 (1400m)
#8 awkward
This Godolphin filly finally broke her maiden status last start with a smart win at Geelong over 1200m.
She won that race in quick time and hit the line very nicely to suggest the 1400m will only enhance her chances of winning.
Damien Oliver had her bailed up on the rails near last amongst the seven horse field in her maiden win and she looked uncomfortable for a few strides but her class shone through.
She’s now drawn a barrier where she can hopefully settle outside of runners and build her stride and momentum with greater ease than she did last start.
The runner-up from that maiden race, Ethekwini, was heavily backed at Moonee Valley last Friday night to suggest the form is solid.
Although Ethekwini was well beaten to run second last week, there was a significant advantage to rails-in-run leaders that night.
Suggested Bet: Awkward win at $5
Sandown Race 6 (1600m)
#7 BELLA TIARA
She was brave in defeat last start, settling in the rear half of the field, albeit a field of six, over the 1400m.
Jockey Dean Yendall had to make up five lengths on the leader, and well-backed favourite Milton Park, who bowled along and had a picnic up front to lead all the way and win.
Bella Tiara was hitting the line well out wide on the track and around 50m after the post right went up to the girth of Milton Park suggesting the mile will be no problem here.
There looks to be a fair bit of speed engaged up front as well and with the rail out 6m on the Hillside track, Yendall can aim his mount to those golden wide lanes at Sandown that are worth a few extra lengths.
Suggested Bet: Bella Tiara win at $5
sandown race 8 (1400m)
#11 rathlin
Rathlin has raced against far superior opposition than he faces today and he’s since had the ultimate gear change since being spelled: he is now gelded.
The three-year-old gelding has had the kitchen sink thrown at him first-up here. Senior jockey Michael Dee is booked and the blinkers have been applied for the first time to spark into winning form.
His two jump outs didn’t exactly set the world on fire but he showed a response to riding when the blinkers were applied in his second jump out.
The jump outs were over 800m and 1000m which might prove a little too sharp for him if he’s lost a bit of his edge since being gelded.
Hoping he gets some luck from barrier one and is allowed to build into the race rather than having to stop and start.
Suggested Bet: Rathlin each way at $6.5
WARWICK FARM RACE 1 (1300M)
#4 GULF OF THAILAND
The Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou stables are absolutely airbourne at the moment.
Their last 100 runners have yielded a 13% return on investment (ROI) with 21 winners.
This two-year-old colt by Sebring is first-up over 1300m after three solid trials.
He was defeated by the favourite in this race at his most recent trial but Gerald Ryan is a jet trainer with horses first-up in their preparation and is likely to have this colt wound up to win.
Tim Clark takes the ride after a successful weekend where he rode the Ryan & Alexiou three-year-old colt Peltzer to victory.
Having drawn a nice barrier here he can either lead or take the drop in behind the leaders and might very well turn the tables since the trial defeat Head of State.
Suggested Bet: Gulf of Thailand win at $7
warwick farm race 6
#5 awesome lad
Loved the run of this four-year-old gelding last start.
He drew barrier 12 of 12, began awkwardly, was midfield and wide with no cover, then had the audacity to still be hitting the out deep on the track while the winner had the perfect run.
Today he gets a big jockey change and a much better barrier.
Nash Rawiller replaces Christian Reith and the Jason Deamer-trained horse gets barrier four.
He can settle in a handy spot one off the fence and he should be well in advance of the fast finishing Travest who looks very likely to map well back in the rear half of the field.
Suggested Bet: Awesome Lad win at $4.4
