Sandown Hillside hosts metropolitan racing in Melbourne as we get set for a cold one in the east.
The Wizard of Odds is all rugged and ready to go with the best bets from a competitive nine-race card.
Sandown Hillside Race 2
#14 Mr Mooj
Mr Mooj has set his building blocks to run a very strong 2400 metres for the first time on Australian soil.
Owned by the esteemed Williams family, the four-year-old-gelding by champion sire Camelot has ‘stayer’ written all over him.
His first two starts in Australia after a 32-week spell have him set to run his best race with the step up to 2400 metres ideal for a horse of his racing style.
He was given a sightseer around Caulfield last start and then hit the line hard after settling last at this course over 1800 metres to run fourth at BM-64 level.
He goes up in grade but that is offset by a big weight drop which sees him carrying only 52.5 kilos after the claim from gun apprentice Will Price.
Predicting he will settle much closer to the speed than his first two runs and he is a huge winning chance to start the day.
Suggested Bet: Mr Mooj win at $4.8
Sandown Hillside Race 5
#8 No Effort
No Effort is going to run the race of her life at Sandown Hillside over 1800 metres.
She is slowly building towards peak fitness and looks to get the right set up in this race given she handles wet conditions and should be afforded a lovely run on the speed.
Carleen Hefel is slowly becoming a solid rider and improving every time she steps out onto the track.
The instructions for her should be simple here, find the front and keep this six-year-old mare rolling along.
The Gavin Bedggood-trained galloper only has to carry 51 kilos around the course.
Great each-way chance… just hoping she can hold off the fast closers down the outside.
Suggested Bet: No Effort each-way at $8.5 the win and $2.6 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 5, 8/ 5, 8, 9/ 1, 2, 5, 8, 9
Sandown HIllside race 6
#4 Degraves
Degraves gives off the vibe that he is set for an enormous run on at his first run in Australia.
He has very solid credentials over the mile and even though he is first-up he has the capability to give this race a shake if his European form is anything to go by.
The wet track looks as though it will suit him perfectly given his only start on a heavy saw him win a stakes race in Ireland.
It seems as though the wetter the better for this four-year-old gelding.
Expecting him to settle midfield from a middle barrier and launch his run up the middle of the track.
Suggested bet: Degraves each-way at $7 the win and $2.5 the place.
Sandown Hillside Race 7
#8 Literati
Literati appreciated the wet track at Ballarat last start and mowed home to win by just under length over 1600 metres.
He stays at the same distance and despite going up in grade he actually gets plenty of factors in his favour.
Strikes a wet track again as well as relief at the weights dropping four kilos from his last start win.
Damien Thornton is one win from one ride on him and clearly has a riding style that suits this horse.
Not too sure how far back the pair will get from a wide barrier but if the rain keeps tumbling, the wide barriers might just be the place to be drawn if the inside chops up.
Just hoping something can give him a cart into the race with cover so he does not have to be exposed too early.
Suggested bet: Literati each-way at $7.5 the win and $2.60 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed F4 – 1, 3, 8, 13
Sandown Race 9
#12 Zipping Boy
Zipping Boy is a genuine short-course specialist who thrives on wet tracks.
He showed his versatility last start by producing a sharp turn of foot to win a Sandown Hillside BM-70 event over 1000 meters and now he return to the scene of the crime.
The wet track will only enhance his chances of victory as will only having to carry 52 kilos from a very soft barrier.
If the inside has not cut up then he make the progression to Saturday metropolitan level with ease.
He is slowly putting together an impressive resume with five wins from eight starts and he looks the best of the day Sandown.
Suggested bet: Zipping Boy each-way at $6 the win and $2.25 the place
