A warm night for a bumper card at The Meadows as we go through the 12-race program on New Year’s Day.
The Meadows race 1
#2 Harry
Harry was crunched in betting on debut as a $2.10 favourite and it all went a bit pear shaped for him after striking trouble from the middle box.
He returns to the races after that effort and draws a much better box in a race that shapes up nicely for him.
The market clearly suggested he had a talent level well above any of the dogs in this field and we are happy to forgive him for one run given it was his debut and he was unlucky.
Expecting him to show plenty of zip from the lids in this event and can easily topple this field if he gets a clear run.
Suggested Bet: Harry win at $3
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 2 & 3
The Meadows race 5
#8 decimate
Decimate is the one to be with in this race after he scorched up the Sandown Park track with a red-hot 29.33 lead-all-the-way victory last start.
The only little query is bringing that form The Meadows – a track he is yet to win at in three starts.
Despite that, this race looks his best chance on paper to get that elusive win at this track given the fitness advantage and early speed he has over gun staying chaser Mepunga Warrior.
Expecting him to jump swiftly from box eight, hold down the lead, gain a margin to the back straight and hold on from the late closers.
Suggested Bet: Decimate win at $2.90
Suggested Exotic: Exacta 8 & 4
The Meadows race 6
#3 eat my dust
Eat My Dust has had some terrible luck in his past few runs.
He has either drawn too wide or drawn the squeeze boxes, which has seen him get chopped out of runs or baulked in between other dogs.
Drawing closer to the rail looks to work well for him here with the dog drawn to his immediate inside being a good beginner and that should allow him to get a clear cart into the race.
With even luck, he has the mid-race and late sectionals to run over the top and win this race.
Having an each-way bet.
Suggested Bet: Eat My Dust each-way at $5.5 the win and $1.90 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Boxed Trifecta – 1, 2, 3
the meadows race 7
#4 Starlight Tyson
Starlight Tyson loves doing his racing at The Meadows and is yet to miss a top three finish at his four starts at the track.
His two wins at this course are well and truly good enough to win this race.
Do not think that box four will be to his detriment given he is the dog who boasts the quickest early speed in this field.
If we look back to his last start run over 600 metres on New Year’s Day, it was his first effort over the distance since November and it should top him of beautifully for this event over the same distance.
Suggested Bet: Starlight Tyson win at $3.2
