The Wizard of Odds is excited for the nine-race card at Sandown Hillside.
There is a three-year-old filly in the first who is set to break her maiden after a fantastic run on debut a fortnight ago.
Sandown Hillside Race 1
#3 Barb Raider
Barb Raider was the real eye-catcher on debut at Sandown Hillside over 1200 metres.
Trainer Jerome Hunter must clearly have a very high opinion of this three-year-old filly given he raced her in a BM-64 graded race rather than taking the easier option of a maiden.
She now drops back down to maiden grade and rises in distance which looks perfect for her in the race.
Her last 250 metres on debut were the most impressive of her race as she sliced her way through runners and was well past the leader 50 metres after the post.
The extra 200 metres will be ideal as will the inside barrier meaning she can drop into a spot closer to the lead speed than she did a fortnight ago.
Suggested Bet: Barb Raider win at $2.8
Sandown Hillside Race 2
#2 Sealion
It was a very impressive debut by Sealion who scored by half a length over 1000 metres at Wyong.
He was obliged to sit wide on a solid lead tempo and fought on bravely to kick on and win.
Expecting him to derive great benefit from a fitness perspective which should have him right in this race.
He showed good speed in the early part of that short-course victory, he rises to 1400 metres here and it should mean he can find the lead easily.
Looks a typical Gai Waterhouse front-running type who will thrive with the sharp rise in distance.
Damien Oliver has been booked and the champion jockey should able to dictate terms by rolling along in the lead.
Suggested Bet: Sealion each-way at $6 the win and $2.6 the place (No Third Dividend)
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 5
Sandown Hillside Race 4
#2 Pissaro
The form lines may not look ideal for Pissaro, but he has raced in much harder company than what he faces at Sandown in this race.
He raced and finished behind Smokin’ Romans at Moonee Valley over 2500 metres last start and was just simply outclassed.
The seven-year-old gelding was beaten by just over five lengths after being hemmed away inside horses.
Drops right back in grade here and draws to be one off the fence which will be perfect for him.
He has the long straight to wind up his finish and Josh Richards claims three kilos to get his weight impost down to 58kgs.
Suggested Bet: Pissaro each-way at $7.5 the win and $2.5 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1, 2/ 1, 2, 4/ Field
Sandown Hillside Race 6
#14 Cicero Field
Cicero Field races on the quick back-up after finishing midfield at Sale in a BM-64 over 1746 metres.
The five-year-old mare finish fifth of the nine runners in what was a very high pressure race with a mid-race slowdown that favoured the fit back markers.
She was having to cope with having a month off and just knocked up late in the race.
The fact Jason Warren has got her back only six days after that race tells us she has pulled up very well.
Apprentice Celine Gaudary will be tasked with navigating a passage to the finish post from barrier 12, but the map looks to suit her with a midfield position with cover.
Suggested Bet: Cicero Field each-way at $6 the win and $2.15 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta 9, 14/ 2, 7, 9, 14/ 2, 7, 9, 14,
