We head to Sandown Hillside for Underwood Stakes Day as we set sail on the first Group 1 meeting at the track since 1996.
The Wizard of Odds has found the best bets ahead of a big program.
Sandown Race 2
#12 Sirileo Miss
Sirileo Miss showed great tenacity to win when resuming at Sandown over 1300 metres in BM-70 grade.
Craig Williams shot her through a needle eye opening at the 300-metre mark and she dashed through to score with a nice turn of acceleration.
She has shown great progression from her last preparation and looks to have come back a much stronger horse.
Expect her to improve another two lengths after that first-up run with natural fitness progression.
Draws to get the perfect position in running – stalking the leaders.
Suggested Bet: Sirileo Miss win at $3.4
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 12 & 18
Sandown Race 3
#3 LIna's Legend
Lina’s Legend is building towards a peak run this preparation after two very sharp wins over 1300 metres to begin his campaign.
The Danny O’Brien-trained three-year-old colt went from a maiden victory at Echuca first-up to winning in town at Sandown at the midweek races and now progresses to Saturday city grade.
His jockey, Damian Lane, is riding in great form and the pair look to get an economical run from barrier two.
Lane has options from the inside gate; he can either ping to the lead or if it gets too hot he can take a sit just in behind the pace.
Either way, he is a fantastic winning hope and looks one of the best bets on the card.
Suggested Bet: Lina’s Legend win at $2.6
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 3/ 7, 10/ 7, 10
Sandown Race 4
#8 Fortunate Kiss
Zouzrella is a deadset jet and the one to hold out, but Fortunate Kiss will get the map to suit her on-pace style.
The three-year-old filly from the Daniel Bowman stable has been building towards a big run in the city after recording a smart win first-up over 1000 metres at Warracknabeal.
She then progressed to BM-64 grade over 1300 metres and was forced to sit outside the lead over a solid speed.
She did a great job to hold on for second behind smart colt Lina’s Legend.
That run is going to bring her on beautifully for this rise in distance to 1400 metres and, if she can get the lead on her own terms as predicted, the favourite is going to have a tough time trying to chase her down from the rear half of the field.
Suggested Bet: Fortunate Kiss each-way at $9 the win and $2.45 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 2 & 8
Sandown Race 5
#2 Elephant
Elephant comes out of the Feehan Stakes which has proven to be a hot form guide in the last week.
The four-year-old gelding was nutted out of a ticket into the Cox Plate by Superstorm in a very tight photo finish in that race.
Since that race, Sierra Sue has come out and won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes to frank the form.
Trainers Emma-Lee and & David Browne have got this gelding absolutely humming along at the moment and Damian Lane stays aboard the saddle.
He has been truck loaded in early betting and expecting him to start closer to the odds on.
Making him the best of the day.
Suggested Bet: Elephant win at $2.5