Wet weather is forecast for both Canterbury and Sandown Hillside so our Wizard of Odds is looking towards horses that are fit and will handle the conditions.
A first starter at big odds has caught the eye, while we might be ‘penciling’ in a win during race two at Canterbury.
Sandown Race 1
#3 Divinein Manhattan
Divinein Manhattan hasn’t really been bustled along in her three jump outs and thinking is she represents big each-way value in this race.
She settled out the back in her first two jump outs and just went around for a sight-seer without being asked to a heck of a lot.
Her most recent jump out, which was at Caulfield on a heavy 10 track over 800 metres saw her settle in the lead and she plugged away nicely to run second.
With the forecast rain around Melbourne, she will be fit enough to handle tough conditions if the rain does come.
Should get a lovely cushioned run from barrier one and hopefully the gaps appear in the straight.
Suggested Bet: Divinein Manhattan each-way at $21 the win and $4.6 the place.
Sandown Race 5
#4 Leale
Leale was ridden way too quickly in the lead at Caulfield last start.
After drawing barrier one, she was asked to scoot to the lead at a frantic tempo and was still punching away until the last 150 metres.
The hard run up front ended up taking its toll late and she faded away to finish seventh.
This race looks to set-up much better for her given she will not cop the pressure up front like she did second-up.
Apprentice Josh Richards can stack them up mid-race and then put the foot down early in the race to get all the trailers chasing tail.
Suggested Bet: Leale each-way at $14 the win and $3.5 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed First Four – 1, 2, 4, 7, 9
Sandown Race 8
#18 Shantara
Shantara is a lightly-raced five-year-old mare from the astute Kylie Vella stable.
She has race three times for two wins and a runner-up finish behind touted filly Pinkham.
Loved her two jump outs at Campderdown and Mortlake.
She was heavily restrained in both her pipe-opening jump outs and settled beautifully in each to suggest she has come back to racing in fine fettle.
If she was asked to extend in either jump outs she probably would have won them by an absolute space.
She needs a few scratchings to get an entry into the this field, but given the forecast rain, that may very occur.
Craig Williams being booked first-up is a clear sign of intent.
Suggested bet: Shantara each-way at $10 the win and $3.3 the place
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 12 & 18
Canterbury Race 2
#8 Penciled
Penciled may not have set the world on fire to the eye with a 1040-metre trial win at Randwick but think he is the one to be with here.
He had to venture towards the outside rail and that smothered the overall time of the heat.
The two-year-old colt was very lightly ridden late in the trial and held his ground in a sign that 1250 metres on debut will be ideal.
Barrier one at Canterbury will ensure he has the shortest way home and if he gets the gaps, then he will be the one flashing home up in the inside to beat them all.
Suggested bet: Penciled win at $4.4
Canterbury Race 3
#8 Wild Irish
Wild Irish has been running well without winning this preparation.
She produced a solid first-up run over too short of a distance then raced second-up over the mile at this track when the race configuration for her was terrible after starting a $4 elect.
Her last start at Kembla Grange she was drawn down on the inside which was not the place to be.
She battled away well to finish second and now returns to BM-72 level over 1550 metres.
Looks a very solid each-way bet.
Suggested bet: Wild Irish each-way at $6.5 the win and $2.05 the place
