Happy Birthday to all race horses!
The new racing season is upon us and what better way to start it with a slashing nine-race card at Sandown Lakeside.
The Wizard of Odds has spring in his step and has found the best bets as we head towards the spring carnival.
Sandown Lakeside Race 2
#7 Golden Money
Golden Monkey was heavily touted to win on his debut at Pakenham back on May 12 but pulled up to fourth to Rambeu.
Since that run, the gelding has been given some time off and popped up at Pakenham jumpout earlier this month.
He was given a very quiet time of it after settling in the rear half of the field with cover and producing his run to finish five lengths off the jumpout winner.
Interestingly, the blinkers are applied for the first time here but he did not wear them in the jumpout.
Expect a sharp improvement from this galloper today at good each-way odds.
Suggested Bet: Golden Money each-way at $11 the win and $3.5 the place.
Sandown Lakeside Race 3
#14 Aminatu
Aminatu looks to get control of the front and that could prove a significant advantage if the Lakeside track plays the way it usually does.
With forecast rain about, finding an easy lead on a strong, fast and fit horse at Sandown Lakeisde means it very difficult for the backmarkers to make up ground.
Importantly, Madison Lloyd hopping aboard this mare means she will only have to carry 53kgs after the claim.
Her last start effort at Sale behind Duke of New Orleans is good enough to be in the finish here at each-way odds.
Suggested Bet: Aminatu each-way at $10 the win and $3.3 the place
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 3, 5, 11, 14
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#5 Heberite
We almost landed a big prize when tipping a Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustance imported stayer from New Zealand at Sandown last week so we will follow the same mould here.
Heberite brings over a BM-65 win at Oamaru on a bog-heavy surface and with the forecast rain shadowing over Melbourne, he looks well placed here.
Josh Richards has been appointed to the saddle and his three-kilo claim will only help this seven-year-old gelding power through the going.
Barrier looks the ideal situation for him where he can cuddle up in behind the lead speed, be put to sleep and produce his at the top of the straight.
Suggested Bet: Heberite each-way at $10 the win and $3.3 the place.
Sandown Lakeside Race 8
#5 Kamien
Kamien looks in for a good winter preparation before the big spring races kick off after scoring victory at Moe last start.
He raced in BM-64 company and sprinted sharply up the inside to pinch victory away from the well-fancied Zoupino.
The now six-year-old gelding has only ever had one start at Sandown and recorded a smart victory.
He returns here in good winning form and Thomas Stockdale sheds 2kgs off the alloted 61kgs thanks to his claim.
We can back him each-way at the current price.
Suggested Bet: Kamien each-way at $8.5 the win and $2.9 the place
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 2, 5/ 2, 5, 8/ 2, 5, 8, 15
